Indigenous minor a first for University

Will Cooper

Material in the course helped Miss Tsitsikronis 'develop her opinion' Photo: Kimberly Douglas

12 December 2006: The first students completed the University's new Indigenous minor last semester.

Lluwannee George, Elizabeth Tsitsikronis and Linda Treloar are the first students to complete the four required minors units- Indigenous History and Self Expression, Indigenous Australia: Contemporary Issues, Indigenous Representation in Australian Society and Indigenous Politics and The State.

"It's the first time for the completed program for Indigenous studies at the university. This year is the first time all units were conducted in the same year after only recently being introduced and tested," subject lecturer, Terry Williams said

The minor is also unique as it has no pre-requisites and can be done in any order chosen by the student.

Mr Williams said he was particularly proud international students were being taught a different side of Australian history in their first year of study, as a result of the course.

The next step for the course was to help it become established and hopefully develop it as a major, he said.

Indigenous students Lluwannee George and Elizabeth Tsitsikronis said they appreciated the opportunity to learn more about their Indigenous heritage, something they said is under taught in Australian schools.

"Anyone who's interested in IIndigenous studies, human rights, social work and education should do this, as it brings Indigenous people the scope not available in any other major Indigenous facilitator," Miss George, a graduating Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Communications student said

"You get inside knowledge, which is much better than getting it in a book, especially in today's society," she said.

Miss Tsitsikronis, a law student agreed: "I think there's a lot on offer, especially for non-Indigenous students," she said.

The subjects gave her "the ability to develop my own opinion based on Indigenous history and the prevailing nature of society".

"It opened my eyes to issues I didn't know about initially and it exceeded my expectations."

Education student Ms Treloar, took it upon herself to look into the Indigenous subjects, believing it will benefit her future teaching career.

"I don't think enough people know what the real issues are. I like that it gave a balance to what happened and why, " she said.