Australia and the Urgent Need to Establish Culturally Nourishing Schooling Practices: Settler (Il)Literacy and Investing in First Nations Futurity

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Australia and the Urgent Need to Establish Culturally Nourishing Schooling Practices: Settler (Il)Literacy and Investing in First Nations Futurity
Language: English
Authors: Greg Vass (ORCID 0000-0002-7958-9342), Kevin Lowe (ORCID 0000-0002-2982-6565)
Source: Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education. 2026 29(2):138-150.
Availability: International Society for Teacher Education. Danish School of Education, Aarhus University, Niels Juelsgade 84, 8210 Aarhus N. Denmark; e-mail: isftecontact@gmail.com; Web site: https://journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/jiste
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Indigenous Populations, Minority Group Students, Educational Policy, Culturally Relevant Education, Teacher Attitudes, Social Bias, Racism, Educational Change, Colonialism, Equal Education, Illiteracy, Teacher Education
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.26522/jiste.v29i2.5606
ISSN: 1029-5968
2521-6015
Abstract: In Australia, as in other settler colonial contexts, First Nations students have historically been poorly served by the education system. Since the 1970s, education policies have aimed to address this dire situation, but efforts to support these policies have yielded limited positive results. Teachers have long voiced concerns, including a lack of confidence, limited access to resources, disinterest, or reluctance to assume this responsibility. Negative perceptions of First Nations learners and communities continue to influence both the education sector and the wider public. In recent years, considerable hope has been placed on approaches that are culturally responsive as a way forward. Our work in this area has been connected with the Culturally Nourishing Schooling (CNS) project, a whole-school reform initiative designed to base educational practices within local contexts, and thus relies on reimagining communication, collaboration, and relationships that are no longer hindered by settler illiteracy. Therefore, our vision for teacher education actively promotes settler literacy across the nation and beyond.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505710
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:In Australia, as in other settler colonial contexts, First Nations students have historically been poorly served by the education system. Since the 1970s, education policies have aimed to address this dire situation, but efforts to support these policies have yielded limited positive results. Teachers have long voiced concerns, including a lack of confidence, limited access to resources, disinterest, or reluctance to assume this responsibility. Negative perceptions of First Nations learners and communities continue to influence both the education sector and the wider public. In recent years, considerable hope has been placed on approaches that are culturally responsive as a way forward. Our work in this area has been connected with the Culturally Nourishing Schooling (CNS) project, a whole-school reform initiative designed to base educational practices within local contexts, and thus relies on reimagining communication, collaboration, and relationships that are no longer hindered by settler illiteracy. Therefore, our vision for teacher education actively promotes settler literacy across the nation and beyond.
ISSN:1029-5968
2521-6015
DOI:10.26522/jiste.v29i2.5606