Cultural education seed planted at Snowtown
A cultural education initiative at Snowtown Primary School is giving students an opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal culture, while striking up new connections along the way.
The school was able to engage Narungga/Kaurna/Nauo cultural educator David Weetra - through a partnership with the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board’s Nature Education program - to lead students through the valuable learning experience.
David shared hands-on cultural learning activities, giving students an opportunity he says he missed out on during his own schooling.
“We made quandong seed necklaces and bracelets and I talked to them about the importance of quandongs to our people,” he said.
“I taught them about the fruit and when it’s ready to pick and eat, and the putty inside the seeds and its use for cultural practices.
“We also did dot paintings, and it was awesome to sit down and have a yarn with them and teach them all the things I never got to learn at school about our culture.”
The experience brought David into his element.
“I’ve got five children of my own and grandchildren as well, I’m a natural teacher and have been teaching my own kids about our culture since they were little,” he said.
“The students really enjoyed the hands-on learning and every day at Snowtown was brilliant and we all really enjoyed it.”
Student Scarlett agreed.
“I really liked how David came here for KidsMatter afternoon and for the cultural day activities,” she said. “It was fun making the quandong necklaces and bracelets.”
Principal Trish Boschetti said both indigenous and non-indigenous students were involved in the learning experiences, and all had made a good connection with David.
“Sometimes when we do cultural activities, we’re not always able to get an Aboriginal person in, so it was great to have David and he was a good role model for them," she said.
“Our students always welcome new people coming into the school and they connected with him straight away and took the opportunity to ask him lots of questions.
“David worked will all learners during a KidsMatter afternoon, and with indigenous learners on Cultural Day quandong and painting sessions.
“When David did the session with indigenous students, he brought some of his extended family, which I think was really nice.
“The students really enjoyed choosing the colours for their bracelets and learning about the quandong seeds, and had a real sense of pride in what they were doing.”
