Activity 1 - Aboriginal burning practices represented in painting

In this activity, students will read Kim Mahood's article Country needs people, analyse the opening quotation and a painting, and explore the diverse representations of traditional ecological knowledge, culminating in a written reflection on how these elements shape their understanding of Martu burning practices.

Required resources

• Country needs people by Kim Mahood

Step by step guide

Step 1: Read article

Students to read the article ‘Country needs people’ by Kim Mahood. ⁰

Step 2: Compare, contrast and evaluate text and painting

Students should compare the article’s opening quotation, which the author has taken from social media, with the photograph of the painting Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, Parnngurr Area 2013 and the author’s discussion of it in the text. (Please note: Students will need to undertake an internet search for the painting).

Students will examine these two examples and evaluate the different representations of traditional ecological knowledge contained in each. Teachers may like to use the Analysis Question template provided.

Step 3: Written summary

Students will then write a paragraph summarising how Mahood’s contrasting use of the painting and the quotation work together to influence their understanding of Martu burning practices.