Indigenous perspectives

This subtheme contains clips and stills from the My Place TV series, teaching activities and associated student activity sheets. These resources focus on Indigenous characters, and historical events linked to Indigenous affairs, government policy and public attitudes.


  • The apology [Episode 1 | 2008 : Laura]

    3:15

    The apology [Episode 1 | 2008 : Laura]

    Laura and her family are at the community centre to listen to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s address to Indigenous people apologising for decades of government policy that allowed children to be stolen from their families. However, Laura is more concerned with the apology she needs to make to Michaelis.


    Impact of war [Episode 10 | 1918 : Bertie]

    3:25

    Impact of war [Episode 10 | 1918 : Bertie]

    Evelyn, Bertie's sister, receives news of the death of Freddie Miller. Bertie laments the death of his father and Freddie; both killed in the war. He tells Sid, an Aboriginal soldier, about his plan to buy his brother Eddie a present on his return from the war and they devise a plan to raise the money to purchase the gift.


    Children's games [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    2:15

    Children's games [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    Victoria and her siblings are playing 'blind man's bluff' at the tree. She finds a marble which is claimed by her neighbour, Alexandra Owen, who lives in the big house. Victoria's family is building a new house but that is no match for Alexandra's family who have lived in this place for a long time.


    Treasured objects [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    3:22

    Treasured objects [Episode 13 | 1888 : Victoria]

    Victoria and her siblings design a spell to ensure the family doesn't have to leave the house. They hide eight treasured objects around the house to ward off bad omens.


    A female gaol [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    2:53

    A female gaol [Episode 21 | 1808 : Sarah]

    Sarah is punished after she introduces herself to some local Aboriginal people. After she accidentally breaks a plate while doing the dishes, Alice blackmails Sarah into taking her outside.


    Oranges and lemons [Episode 22 | 1798 : Sam]

    2:39

    Oranges and lemons [Episode 22 | 1798 : Sam]

    Sam is out looking for the farm's goat when he hears someone humming the same notes as he is singing. Following the sounds, he is guided back to the farm, where the goat is waiting. After leaving out some milk to thank an Aboriginal boy for leading him to the goat, his bucket is returned.


    The encounter [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    2:15

    The encounter [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    Waruwi encounters a cow for the first time and is unsure what to make of it. After seeing some marines and a drummer boy, she returns home to Nana to tell her about the 'ghost people' and the cow.


    Little drummer boy [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    2:53

    Little drummer boy [Episode 23 | 1788 : Waruwi]

    Waruwi takes Dan's boots while he is in the water but does not find them to be very comfortable. Observing the camp of the marines, Waruwi is fascinated by one of their musical instruments.


    First contact [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    2:15

    First contact [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    Dan is ordered to capture Waruwi's dingo for the governor. He tries to warn Waruwi that the marines plan to take her dog but is unable to communicate his intentions in time. Waruwi attacks the camp with stones, putting the marines on a state of alert.


    Governor's orders [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    2:53

    Governor's orders [Episode 24 | 1788 : Dan]

    Dan tries to compensate Waruwi for the loss of her dingo by taking a number of items from around the camp and giving them to her. Dan drums out the marines as they march to the point.


    Snakebite [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    2:15

    Snakebite [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    Bunda's father gives him and his brother advice on surviving a snakebite, and how to make a spear. Bunda and his brother constantly argue and compete with each other.


    Fishing [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    2:53

    Fishing [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    At the creek, Bunda's father tells him and his brother to catch a fish. Each uses a different method of fishing and Bunda's method of building a small dam proves to be the most successful. Their father is annoyed that they are not working together.


    Water [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    2:39

    Water [Episode 25 | Before Time : Bunda]

    Bunda and his brother Garadi are competing with each other to find the best method of transporting water. Bunda constructs a raft to carry the water down the river, while his brother carries his water on foot. Bunda's father then tells his sons to bring him something that takes two to get.


    Dance-off [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    2:15

    Dance-off [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    Barangaroo and her friends are warned not to go near Mumuga country, and they discuss the nature of the Mumuga. To cheer up Mung they decide to host a cook-up. Barangaroo and Mani have a dance-off  to see who is the most worthy to carry the spear.


    Yabbies [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    2:53

    Yabbies [Episode 26 | Before Time : Barangaroo]

    Barangaroo and Mung collect yabbies for the cook-off. When Barangaroo returns to the camp she finds that Mung has gone missing in Mumuga country, so she and her friends go searching for him.


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