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The contemporary issues facing Australia’s First Nations’ peoples and communities, and an awareness of the government politics and policies that shaped them are essential for people working within a variety of private, government and non-government sectors. Since 1788, First Nation Australia has been dominated, oppressed and controlled, first by the British Crown, and then by state and federal governments, resulting in widespread dispossession and disadvantage that continues today. A broad knowledge of First Nation people’s experience with politics is required to be able to consider contemporary issues with empathy and awareness, and support First Nations’ political autonomy and equality into the future.

Students in this course will analyse First Nations' political structure and governance systems pre-colonisation and examine the beliefs and laws under which Australia was invaded and claimed. Students will be introduced to the rapid succession of policies and legislations/acts that have been forced onto First Nation peoples with significant and lasting impacts. Students will also learn about the Aboriginal civil rights movement, recent advances in First Nation political self-determination, and current political debates.

On completion of this course students should be able to:

1. describe and discuss the core elements of traditional First Nations’ governance, authority, and Lore in Australia;
2. compare and contrast First Nation and British views on governance, authority, and law;
3. describe the political landscape that resulted in Australia being claimed as terra nullius;
4. identify and discuss the major political eras that have shaped First Nations’ lives since invasion;
5. explain the connection between past policy and current First Nation issues and debates.