First Nations Knowledge Sharing
Round Two
What is the First Nations Knowledge Sharing Project Two.
The First Nations Knowledge Sharing Project Two (FNKS2) was a nested project within the Northern Rivers Connecting with Country Framework Two (NRCwCF2). Building on the foundations of FNKS1, FNKS2 explored how First Nations Knowledges can contribute to disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and community resilience. The project supports young people, educators, and communities to strengthen their connection with Country and develop a deeper understanding of how First Nations perspectives can inform responses to environmental challenges.
Through On Country learning, environmental observation, experiential activities, and educational resources, participants explored the importance of both listening to Country and caring for Country. By engaging with First Nations philosophies - the importance of a relationship with Country, relationships within Country, how to connect to Country through listening and specific Ranger skills like monitoring and observation - the project increased awareness of how connection to Country can support preparedness, risk awareness, and decision making in the face of natural hazards, while also strengthening the importance of resilience, community driven decision making, healthy Country, and connections to place.
Jump here for more information on FNKS Project Round One.
Photo credits: Jodie Harris
Country Quest Workshop
Students explored potential natural hazard risks in a safe and supportive environment while learning the importance of listening to and caring for Country through observation, monitoring, data collection, and collaborative decision-making.
Working in teams with support from adult facilitators, students completed a series of interactive activities designed to build problem-solving, communication, and environmental observation skills. Each activity built on the previous one, encouraging students to apply knowledge gained during the classroom lessons and reinforcing the importance of preparation when engaging with Country and responding to environmental change.
The activities aligned with the NSW Reconstruction Authority's themes of preparedness, reconstruction, reduction, and recovery, demonstrating practical ways that First Nations Knowledges can inform resilience planning. Through hands-on learning experiences, including using creative methods such as art to document and interpret environmental observations, students developed a deeper understanding of environmental change, community-led monitoring, and the value of learning through doing.
photo credit: Jodie Harris
photo credit: Jodie Harris
Key Activities
Jagun Alliance partnered with The Small School Murwillumbah to deliver a tailored program to 11 students aged 10-12 years. The knowledge sharing activities were structured around a three-part learning sequence, consisting of two classroom-based lessons bookending an interactive and immersive On Country experience known as Country Quest. Drawing on both Aboriginal educational approaches and contemporary youth engagement strategies, the program was designed to support young people to understand climate change and explore ways to prepare for and mitigate its impacts. Through developing relationships with land, water, sky, plants and animals, students gained practical skills and knowledge that strengthened their understanding of Country and its role in fostering environmental awareness, resilience, and preparedness.
Project Supporters
The Project strengthens NSW Reconstruction Authority efforts to prepare for natural disasters by enhancing awareness and understanding of First Nations Knowledge to guide and support current and future disaster planning, response and recovery.
This project received funding from the Australian Government and NSW Government
photo credit: Jodie Harris
