Primary School Lesson Plan—Why Platypus Lives Alone
The school environment is supposed to be a safe haven for all students, regardless of their background or culture. For Aboriginal students, this is not always the case. They face racism, prejudice, and negative stereotypes on a daily basis, which can severely impact their self-esteem and mental health. Normalizing Aboriginal culture within the classroom can help to combat these issues and provide a more inclusive environment for all students. In this course, we have created teaching resources specifically looking at the story of Why Platypus Lives Alone, helping children develop emotional literacy by learning about personal space and some children need “alone time” for emotional well-being.
International award-winning Australian Aboriginal artist, educator, and teacher.
On behalf of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child sexual abuse, Donna spent several years interviewing Aboriginal abuse victims in indigenous communities. As a trauma counsellor and community liaison, Donna supported many clients through this difficult process.
Donna has been teaching the latest counselling techniques to clients such as Gestalt Therapy Australia’s upcoming year three students, University Queensland Psychology students, and many more, bringing a modern approach to counselling that reduces stress and anxiety within clients.
Donna is a Wailwan/Wiradjuri woman from outback NSW. Donna is from the stolen generation, and she wanted to create training resources to educate mainstream Australians (without blame, guilt, or anger) about Aboriginal people and to bring Indigenous wisdom to the counselling field.