Teaching First Nations history
From Hey History! by UTS Impact Studios
April 22, 2026 · 32 min · Season 2 · Episode 7
About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges teachers face in teaching First Nations history and offers resources and strategies for improvement.
Nearly half of Australian teachers say they don't feel confident to teach First Nations history, according to research. Historian and educator Associate Professor Al Fricker explains why so many teachers feel underprepared — and why it's not a personal failing. He offers some straightforward first steps, including where to find good resources and how to start building real connections with your local First Nations community. How can you embed First Nations perspectives and knowledge in your curriculum? And what are some ways to embed them across your whole school? You'll also hear from teachers around Australia sharing what’s worked in their classrooms and schools: using the AIATSIS languages map, teaching the Frontier Wars through local history, trying the Eight Ways Pedagogy, and building a curriculum map so Aboriginal perspectives aren't left to chance. Resources and tipsheet Associate Professor Al Fricker’s recommended resources made by or with First Nations people Ngarrngga : free, high-quality curriculum resources and professional development modules, spanning all subject areas from Foundation to 10. A collaboration between the Faculty of Education, Indigenous Studies Unit…
People in this episode
Guest: Associate Professor Al Fricker
Topics covered
- First Nations history
- education
- teacher resources
- curriculum development
- community engagement
Keywords
- First Nations history
- teacher confidence
- curriculum resources
- community connections
- education strategies
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AIATSIS, University of Melbourne, Australians Together, Matilda Education
More episodes of Hey History!
- Teaching The Australian Wars · April 29, 2026 · 1h 14m
- More than facts: teaching complexity in history · April 16, 2026 · 30 min
- Teaching difficult histories · April 9, 2026 · 32 min
- *Really* creative history teaching · April 1, 2026 · 22 min
- Creative history teaching · March 25, 2026 · 29 min
- Advice for new history teachers · March 18, 2026 · 25 min
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