Case Study Overview
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived in all parts of Australia before European settlement in 1788, in very different environments. We know that they learned how to use the environment wherever they were – in jungle, or desert, or river valleys, on coasts, or grasslands, or swamps.
But did they all live in the same way? Eat the same food? Have the same dwellings? Use the same tools? And how can we possibly hope to answer these questions?
This unit asks you to try to answer some of these questions by looking at early paintings, reading stories, investigating Aboriginal people’s plant use, and exploring the impact of climate on the way people lived.
Format
This unit of study is presented as a website which includes interactive elements, videos, PDF and worksheets (in Word Doc format). The unit is compatible with computers and iPads.
Case study unit of work inquiry structure
- Activity 1 What was life like for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples before the arrival of the Europeans?
- Activity 2 How did Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples come to Australia?
- Activity 3 Where did Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples come from to Australia?
- Activity 4 How long have Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait islander peoples been here?
- Activity 5 What was life like for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples before Europeans arrived?
- Activity 6 Did all Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples live in the same way?
- Activity 7 How did Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples use native plants?
- Activity 8 What type of shelters did Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples build?
- Activity 9 How did Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples make tools?
- Activity 10 Did Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples speak different languages?
- Activity 11 Exploring your landscape today
