10 Black Tracks

What is this subject about?

Black Tracks explores the history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from pre-White settlement through to present day. You will gain an understanding of the devastating impact European settlement had on the Aboriginal people, loss of life through disease and frontier wars and loss of land, but also their ability and determination to adapt and survive. We will study the key events in Australia’s past concerning our First Nations peoples, examining the fight for rights. Black Tracks will explore the most recent calls for a referendum to recognise our First Nations peoples in our Constitution.

What are we going to be studying?

  • Aboriginal people pre-settlement
  • Early interactions, disease and frontier wars Adaptation and survival Control and Missions (eg Rabbit Proof Fence study) and Stolen generations
  • Aboriginal rights – petitions, protests (such as The Freedom Ride and Tent Embassy) and court cases (Mabo, Koowarta) Key Current dates in Australia – Sorry Day, 1967 Referendum and the Mabo case
  • Uluru Statement from the Heart The 2023 referendum and reconciliation

Where does this subject go?
This subject will be useful for English, History and Legal Studies. It is a subject vital for reconciliation and for you to be an informed Australian.

This subject is advantageous if you’re looking at these careers:

  • Journalist/media
  • Police officer
  • Public servant
  • Teacher
  • Conservation
Please note: Students studying ‘Black Tracks’ will have an advantage in the selection process for Indigenous immersions.