Rap point 1
Rap point 1 starts 2 June 2008.
Ask your parents or grandparents:
1. Why is our cultural background important? Why do we need to know about it?
2. Tell me some messages for living a good life that our culture says are important.
Use the Planning and programming activities and Rap sheets to help you respond to Rap point 1.
Go to the Leave a reply at the bottom of this page to post your response. You will need to log in, post a response and wait for moderation.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hi Everyone,
Have fun this week thinking about WHY it is so important to know who we are and where we come from - whatever our cultural background is. I suggest that you read one or two of the sections in the My People My Place booklet to find out what some Aboriginal people believe about the importance of knowing where we fit in.
Think together as a group and ask your families too - what are some important messages for living a good life? We want to hear your most important messages. We form our identities from WHO we are, WHERE we come from and also HOW we treat other people. This rap is all about how we can build a strong idenity for ourselves and reach a proud future.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
May 30th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi Everyone,
We read Josh’s bit in “My People, my place” because we know him. The other one we read was Maureen Kimber’s because she works in our school! This is what Steph says about why we need to know about our culture - wherever we are from.
“It is important for later in life when you meet cousins or friends and you know that they are part of your family and culture, say if they are Wiradjuri too. Later in life you can tell your kids where you come from.”
We are going to ask our parents about their ideas for living a good life this week. This is what WE think:
1. Hang around with the right people who will build you up, not pull you down.
2. Understand and appreciate who you are and where you come from
3. Be kind and help people
4. Work hard and never quit.
See you, Bidwill Campus Bloggers
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hi rappers,
6B English reporting in with our rap response to Rap Point 1.
We chose to read Maureen Wenzel’s and Daphne Bell’s sections in “My People, my place”. Daphne’s wonderful description of returning to her family home every so often made us think about our own return visits to the houses and towns we used to live in before moving to Penrith.
One of us has been back to Fairfield several times. It’s her grandmother’s house. But her old bedroom is empty. One of us lived in a Navy house. She doesn’t remember the house at all, only the cat. Another girl only remembers a big splash of yellow paint on the side of her old house. One of us goes back to the Melbourne house he was born in every holidays. His Dad still lives there. One of us lived in Africa and she wonders if the mango tree is still there beside her old house. The girl who came from Auckland, New Zealand, accidentally left a blue sapphire ring in a treasure box in her old bedroom. Her cousin has that bedroom now; she hopes the ring is safe.
Remembering these things helps us define our identities.
What messages for a good life did our parents and grandparents give to us?
We will always remember these wise words:
“When cooking pikelets, don’t get too close to the pan.”
“Don’t jump on the couch.”
“Chew like a lady.”
“Never draw on people when they are asleep.”
“These things you should remember because I did it the hard way.”
“Always start the day with a good breakfast.”
“Study hard!”
“Never pick your nose in public.”
“Respect people, even if you dislike them.”
We hope these gave you some smiles.
Best wishes from 6B English, Penrith PS
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
6B English Rappers from Penrith Public School - Love your work!!
I really agree that our memories help to create our identities. I hope the mango tree is still there and that the blue sapphire ring is safe. Your messages for a good life are a blast - some of them are funny, some are about health and safety while some are about respect and manners. I actually think that having fun together and working as a team builds a strong identity too - we each build our identity by how we treat other people as well as where we come from. Your ideas will give all the other rappers a lot of smiles!
Best wishes,
Lizzie Chase
Rap coordinator
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Hello rappers,
We are the students from 5E at Penrith PS. This is our rap response to Rap Point 1.
After reading the stories of Maureen Kimber and Josh in “My People, my place”, we talked about who of us knew our grandparents well, and how important grandmothers and grandfathers can be to help us form our identities.
Most of us see our grandparents a lot but Taela told us about her mother, who finally found Taela’s grandfather again after 30 years apart. She couldn’t even remember what he looked like but he sent some photographs and they finally met up at a family funeral in Queensland. Now Taela has a grandfather for the first time. She has a chance to get to know him.
Tatenda talked about how his grandparents had to return to Zimbabwe, and took his little brother back so that Tatenda’s mother could go to work in Australia without having to pay for daycare. They will come back when the new baby is born. Tatenda says that he remembers the beautiful view from his house in Zimbabwe: the sun and the forest! His grandmother used to say, “Learn English, but also speak our African language every day. You shouldn’t go one day without speaking it, in case you forget.”
Anousha’s mother was three years old when she left her father (Anousha’s grandfather) in the USA. Her grandmother is still in Afghanistan. It is hard for her mother to know her identity when her parents are so far away. She hasn’t seen them for over ten years. “Kiss the kids for me,” Grandmother says over the phone.
Homa’s grandmother always says, “Never miss a day of praying. Never miss Ramadan.”
Aimie’s grandmother always tells her, “Remember that I will always love you, even if I forget your name.”
Cherisse’s great grandfather used to say (before he died): “If you have a whole lot of feelings that hurt you, scrunch them up and kick them as hard as you can up to the moon.” Now Great Nanna (his wife) just says, “Remember what your great grandfather used to say!”
All these things form our identities. They are special messages for a good life. And always remember, bullies are just jealous.
From 5E at Penrith PS.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Greetings to 5E at Penrith PS - Wow! What a great blog post! This rap is called “Identity: Sharing Our Stories” - and it was so great to hear YOUR stories. We build our identities through the stories which we share - they teach us WHAT IS IMPORTANT in life.
I really liked your thoughts about the importance of grandparents. I was so interested in Taela’s story - it’s so good that she can now have a chance to get to know her grandfather. Tatenda’s grandparents are doing such a good job looking after his little brother - I bet Tatenda will be so happy when he sees him again! I really hope that Tatenda does still speak some African words every day. Good on Anousha’s mum for building a new life in Australia - she must miss her mum and love to hear her voice on the phone, saying “Kiss the kids for me.”
Thanks for the wise words from Homa’s grandmother, Aimie’s grandmother and Cherisse’s great grandfather. We do remember the important messages that grandparents give us about living a good life - so thanks for sharing your messages with us all. I really agree that bullies are just jealous - maybe they have feelings that need to be kicked up to the moon! We need to give ourselves good messages to build up a strong identity - what we say, hear and do builds who we are!
Thanks for sharing,
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 4th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Hi bloggers everywhere!
We are 6W English. Today we came together to talk about Rap Point 1. We read the “My People, my place” stories from Steve and Denise. Both of them had important mentors. Steve knows that his Mum and Dad taught him the important things in his life, and Denise thanked her big sister for being her mentor.
We think a mentor is: a guardian; someone you look up to; usually someone older (but not always); a tutor; someone you respect; someone who helps; and a talented person who teaches you something.
A mentor can be:
* the stepdad “who taught me how to fish. I caught a big salmon on a deep sea charter boat.”
* the grandfather in Zimbabwe “who, before he died, taught me how to carve gemstones and polish them.”
* the dad who is good at golf. “When I asked him to teach me how to play he did, and he even let me join a golf club.”
* the dad who told me “all about his job sweeping the factory floor at Ingleburn.”
* the mother’s friend, “who taught me netball - and we won the game on the first day.”
* “I live with my Nan but it was my Mum who taught me how to look after my baby sister, who’s five months old, and now I can do babysitting when Mum and Nan have to go out.”
* the younger sister, who “makes good spaghetti bolognaise and taught me (a boy) how to make cakes.”
* parents “who are both nurses. Dad taught me how to skateboard even though he’s not good at it, and he taught me how to study, and he is good at that.”
* the grandmother “who taught me to knit a scarf, and my stepmum who is a makeup artist and can make special effect scars.”
* “I have a buddy reader, Alex, who is a high school boy who listens to me read over the phone every Wednesday and Thursday.”
* the dad, who was a boxer. “He has two trophies. My Mum didn’t want him to teach me how to box, but he showed me how to block.”
Messages from our mentors for living a good life:
“Keep your stance. Keep trying. Research all tactics.” (Throwing the discus.)
“Keep on trying. You WILL get better.”
“Practice makes perfect.”
“If you don’t get it, don’t worry. We’ll be here all night.” (Tying shoelaces.)
“Don’t stop until you’ve taught someone else.”
From the rappers in 6W English.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hello everyone,
5P at Penrith PS read two sections of “My People, my place”: from Voice 1 and Voice 2. We talked about the importance of culture on identity.
Jaiden’s father is Maori, but Jaiden doesn’t know very much about Maori culture. He does know that his Dad is very good at fishing and can catch bream, flathead and schnapper.
Jesse’s heritage is Maori (New Zealand) and Tokelaue (a tiny Pacific island). Her aunty is also good at fishing and represented New Zealand in a fishing contest held in Fiji.
Cacie loves to go to the park with her mum. Also clothes shopping and other girl stuff.
James says that some of his Anglican culture can be really gruesome, such as Jesus dying on the cross. James reads a lot of Greek mythology for pleasure. It is a culture that is popular for its many battles.
Mahdi knows the importance of Eid to the Muslim Arabic culture.
Richard has many Vietnamese cultural celebrations. He wears white and yellow - bright colours for happiness - on his birthday.
Natasha loves the African music of her culture. It is very drummy and also has lots of guitar music.
Our favourite messages from older people in our cultures include:
“If you can’t do it, just keep trying.”
“Don’t talk to strangers.”
“If you can’t climb a tree, or crack a coconut, before 3.00 in the afternoon, you are not a real man.”
Best wishes from 5P at Penrith PS.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Good day 6W English,
Thanks for your wonderful blog post - these ideas about mentors will really get us thinking!! It is true that family members can often really look out for us - they also are the ones who often teach us new things.
Thanks also for your messages - they show us that it’s so important to keep on trying, even when things get tough. Many cultures have this message to share: don’t give up, keep on going. Courage and persistence are truly valued in many cultural backgrounds. Another idea that keeps coming up in your post is that we keep learning all our lives - so our identities keep building and growing stronger.
Thanks so much for sharing your stories with us.
Lizzie Chase
Rap co-ordinator
June 5th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Greetings 5P at Penrith Public School,
It’s so great to hear your ideas about culture, thanks for sharing your stories. Jaiden, would it be possible for you to learn some things about Maori culture during this rap project? - if you do this, please share some of what you have learned with us. It’s great that Jesse’s aunty won a fishing competition - I think our identity is built by what we are proud of. I think it is also built by spending time with people we love, like Cacie doing special stuff with her mum.
It’s also true that our cultures are made up of religious ideas, myths and legends & celebrations we share together - thanks for your ideas - James, Mahdi, Richard and Natasha.
As for cultural messages, I’ll remember to pass on the tip about coconuts and tree climbing to any blokes I see today!!
Great work,
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 5th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Je Rappers,
I am just blown away by your responses to Rap Point 1!! The sharing of culture is fabulous, thank you. Reading your favourite messages shows me that all cultures have ‘wise ones’.
I look forward to more sharing
Maureen Wenzel
June 5th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hi everyone,
This is Mrs Nuttall’s Year 5 group of Aboriginal students with our rap response for Rap Point 1. We read Voice 3 and Voice 4 in “My People, my place”. Both speakers told us that the support of family and friends was important in shaping their identity. We tried to think about important incidents from our childhoods.
When Kaylee was in Stage 1 the teachers encouraged her to develop her excellent skills in sculpting. “I went to the Kindergarten room and made animals out of plasticine.” An important saying is “Many hands get the job done faster.” Kaylee also likes to say, “Do it for a long time and it’ll stay in your blood.”
When Robbie was a little baby, he went on a helicopter. “My Dad always reminds me about it because I was too young to remember.”
Caitlin’s aunty taught her some skills for being a lawyer and solicitor, and how to use a computer. “Now I want to be a lawyer or a solicitor one day.” An important saying is, “If you want to do it, just go for it.”
Mrs Nuttall’s mother her taught her many skills of housekeeping. “This prepared me for motherhood.” An important message is, “Believe in yourself.”
Tyra remembers watching the “Sorry Day” announcements in the school assembly hall with all her friends. “That was an important day.”
Billy-Dean once stacked his bike. “Dad just said to me, ‘Put your training wheels back on!’”
Year 5 at Penrith PS
June 5th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
To Mrs Nuttall’s Year 5 Group at Penrith PS - I REALLY liked your ideas about important memories from your childhoods!!
Kaylee, I hope you are still sculpting and making art. Whatever you are making, I know it will be good. I think I will start saying your message to people I meet: “Do it for a long time and it’ll stay in your blood.” Robbie - I think it’s great that your dad can tell you about the helicopter ride - when my boy was a baby, I held him up to look at Halley’s Comet so I could tell him later!! Caitlin, I think it’s great your aunt has been there for you - just go for it, girl!! Tyra, I remember the Sorry Day announcements too - I’ll never forget them. Billy-Dean, your dad’s message is great. I hope you are out there riding and having fun.
Thanks for sharing your stories.
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
This week we talked a lot about what identity means, and where we are from. We had a guest speaker Jamie who told us a little about his life and his story including how he was taken from his family and how he found his family again.
We think culture is important because we need to know where we come from and who we are. If you know your cultural background you understand who you are. Culture helps you to understand and respect your land and people. Heath and Kyle’s country is Budjari. Stacey and the others are still trying to find their countries.
The following are a few ideas we have about living a good life:
“Eat well.”
“Always have fun.”
“Respect others and our country.”
“Enjoy life.”
“Eat pie.”
“Enjoy every moment of life.”
“Sleep well.”
Will write again soon
Year 7 RHS (Richmond High School) later
June 6th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Our cultural background is important so we know who we are. It is part of our identity. So we know where we come from. Our cultural background gives us a sense of pride. It is important to respect your Elders, your past, your tribes, your family, your friends, your totems and to respect yourself, your Land and your country.
The students in our group come from a variety of different countries. Ashlee, Katie and Brandon are all from the Land our school is on, Dharug Land. J and Matthew’s country is Wiradjuri, Tracey is Gunggari and Courtney is from Jabuurrara.
This week we have talked about identity, who we are, where we come from, our families’ pasts and how the experiences of our past shape who we are today. We have not had the chance this week to ask our parent and grandparents about the way we should have a good life. Here are our ideas:
“Never get less than 8 hours of sleep.”
“Don’t eat your totem.”
“Respect your grandparent.”
“Respect your tribe.”
“Don’t turn your back on life.”
“Always have someone to talk to.”
“Eat chocolate crackles.”
“Be alert.”
“Don’t listen to racial comments.”
See you later, talk to you next week
Year 8 RHS (Richmond High School)
June 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
This week we read Maureen, Daphne and Josh’s stories in ‘My People, my place’. We discussed how Land, values, family and culture all contribute to our identity. We loved our mind map so much that we put it on our window to add to as our unit continues.
We really connected with the themes and feelings of identity raised in Daphne’s interview. We wrote our own memories of important people and places in our lives. Bradley wrote about how his birthday is same day as when his grandfather died. He remembers going to the cemetery to lay flowers on his grandfather’s grave on his birthday. Bianca loves her grandmother’s house and has shared many happy memories there. Jessica’s family is from Malta and when she went to visit them, she remembers seeing trees that her family in Australia have to remind them of their home country. We had so many wonderful memories to share with each other.
We interviewed members of our family to discover their lessons for living a good life. Here are some of them:
“According to Chilean culture, the secret to a good life is to have a healthy life.”
“Being an honest and caring person.”
“Treating everyone equally and giving everyone a fair go.”
“Honouring rituals such as family birthdays, Christmas and weddings.”
“Family is the most important thing.”
“Work hard when you are young to make life easier when you are older.”
“Be true to yourself and others.”
“Remind each other of the bigger picture and that life is a small timeframe in eternity.”
“Honesty, hard work, respect for our Elders.”
We believe where we have come from, and the lessons taught to us by our parents and family, forms a big part of our identity. We are very proud of where we all come from.
Have a great week.
Glenhaven PS 5/6K.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Good day, Year 7 and 8 Richmond High School!
Year 7 - It’s fantastic that Jamie came to tell you his story. We learn so much about each other’s cultures by sharing our stories. There are many people who have been taken from their families and we need to hear these stories and learn from them. Heath and Kyle - you know you are Budjari men. Stacey and the rest of you - let me know when you find out where you are from. Thanks for sharing your ideas for a good life!
Year 8 - Ashlee, Katie, Brandon, J, Matthew, Courtney and Tracey - You all know where you come from. This is so important - you know that when adult Aboriginal people meet each other, the first thing they will say is - “Who are your people? Where are you from?” You know where you come from and that is great. Your messages are excellent - I won’t turn my back on life and I will make sure I always have someone to talk to - you are wise.
See you later,
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 6th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Love your work, 5/6K at Glenhaven PS!
Could you photograph your mind map and send it into our blog? Contact Ian McLean at Penrith PS and he will help you - he’s our tech whiz. We would love to see images of pictures, paintings or objects that any schools make during this rap, as they reflect on identity.
Bradley - your family was so lucky that you were born to give them something to be very happy about. Bianca, I’m glad you’ve had such good times at your grandmother’s house. Jessica - you are right - people do carry their memories with them, like the trees - our identity is formed by what we value and what we remember.
Please thank your families for their messages for living a good life. If you have the Internet on at home, get your family to Google “det book raps” so they can read what you have written!
Have a great week,
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 6th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Hi 5/6K at Glenhaven PS,
Yes indeed, if you email me a digital pic of any graphic material, I can upload it for you.
My school is having an art competition for our NAIDOC celebrations at the end of this term, so I hope we will have something to share, too.
BTW, every “Identity rap” lesson, I model to my students at Penrith PS how they can locate the NSW DET book rap pages on the Internet from home. I demonstrate how to type the term “raps and book raps” (with inverted commas!) into Google’s search facility - and the DET pages come up as choice #1 every time. Additionally, we have been including the URL http://rapblog2.edublogs.org/ in the school newsletter.
Regards,
Mr McLean,
Rap Coordinator. Penrith PS
June 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am
G’day from the Crawford Rappers.
We read Aunty Daff’s thoughts in “My People, my place”. Aunty Daff (Daphne Bell) has been at our school since before we were in Kindergarten. We have learnt a lot about Aboriginal culture and traditions from her throughout our years at Crawford. Last week we asked our parents about our cultural background and this is what they had to say -
One of our students from Korean background said, “It is important for us and our people because we have our own traditions and cultures that we want to keep alive for many more generations.”
Another student of Aboriginal heritage said, “It is important for us and our people because we have our own traditions and cultures that we want to keep alive throughout the generations.”
Another student from Aboriginal heritage said, “It is important to me as it gives me a sense of belonging and pride in my culture.”
Here is some of the advice we have been given for living a good life -
• Do well in school
• Don’t hit girls
• Money isn’t everything
• Do your homework
• Respect others, even people you don’t get along with
• Make sure you always make life worth living
• Don’t push your luck
• Respect your Elders and the environment.
June 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Hi everybody!
It’s 5/6S Dawson rappers here. We have read some sections from “My People, my place” and we thought they were very interesting. Some students went home and asked their parents and grandparents about “Why their cultural background is important?”
Here are some of the things the students’ parents have said:
One student’s mother said, “So we can learn important things about the countries our family comes from and how they lived when they were young.”
Another student’s parent said, “So we know where we come from.”
Thank you to the Penrith rappers for your amusing messages for living a good life. Our class came up with a few messages for living a good life:
• Follow your dreams
• Respect the value of education
• If you work hard and don’t give up you will succeed
• Respect your Elders
• Look after the environment
• Always attend school
• Don’t drink or smoke.
This is a line from a song we have listened to recently:
“If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.”
Bye for now,
5/6S rappers.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Hallo there Crawford Rappers,
I think it’s great you have Aunty Daff there to teach you about Aboriginal culture and traditions. I really like your messages for a good life. It’s absolutely true, money isn’t everything. It seems to be important in building our identity that we take care of ourselves, other people and our environment. I’m going to remember this week not to push my luck and also to make sure I make life worth living!
Have a great week and thanks for sharing your ideas!
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 10th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Good day 5/6 Dawson rappers,
Thanks so much for your messages for living a good life! Reading what you say, I can see that building a strong identity means working hard, never giving up and staying healthy. That line from the song is so good - “You better wake and pay attention.” Some people go through life not paying attention, then they get to the end and say “What did I do with my life?” I can hear that this won’t happen to you - you are going somewhere, with a plan to follow your dreams!
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 12th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hello everyone,
This is SCHC at Penrith PS with our Rap Response for Rap Point 1.
We read the stories of Steve and Voice 1 from “My People, my place”. Both of them said that they have a good life now, and they enjoy being with their families. Both people feel proud to be Aboriginal, and they talked about their Aboriginal culture and how they belong. Both had good stories to tell. Both people needed their families. Both enjoyed having friends. They always try hard.
We talked about our own families in Circle Time:
“My family helps me to learn.”
“My family helps each other to do the housework together.”
“My family showed me how to paint the house.”
“My family helps me to sleep and eat properly.”
“My family taught me how to do the shopping.”
“My family likes to help me when things are changing.”
“My family helps me by loving me.”
“My family helps me with my reading.”
“My family helps me to try harder.”
“My family helps me with my schoolwork.”
“My family teaches me how to be a good person.”
Families also help us by making us strong - strong in the heart, not just strong with muscles. This will help us be strong enough to move away from home one day and be able to live by ourselves.
From SCHC @ Penrith PS
June 12th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Good day SCHC at Penrith PS - Love your work!
It was a great idea to compare the ideas of the two people you read about - Steve is a really great bloke. You might like to email or ring Miimali and invite Steve out to talk with you! Miimali workers do school visits all the time and you can find the organisation online and read about its aims for young people.
I really liked your eleven great Circle Time ideas about what families can do to help us. Families help us in practical ways and make us strong in the heart too, as you say! All my kids are grown up now and live away from home and I am proud that I showed them how to be strong and practical people.
Thanks for sharing these great ideas.
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 13th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Dear Ms Chase,
Thank you for telling Class SCHC at Penrith PS about Steve and the Miimali Aboriginal youth service. We have our annual NAIDOC school assembly coming up soon, so it would interesting to see if we can organise for Steve to visit us one day.
From SCHC @ Penrith PS
June 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Go for it SCHC at Penrith PS - they have a number of good speakers there. Josh - from this rap - also works there. They are really into basketball if your class likes that.
Have a great day!
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 15th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Hi 5/6K @ Glenhaven PS,
Thank you for sending the great mindmap you made for Rap Point 1. I’ve posted the image to the Gallery. Just remember to scroll down, and then please click on the small image to see a larger size.
Regards, Mr McLean
Penrith PS
June 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Je (hey) Glenhaven PS,
Your mind map is fabulous, great stuff! Keep up the good work.
Maureen Wenzel
Rap coordinator
June 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Je Penrithrappers,
Your Circle Time sounded great, with lots of discussion. I really loved your comment about families making you strong, … especially strong in the heart. Sometimes we focus on other things, and forget about keeping our hearts strong. Deadly work! I look forward to reading more.
Maureen Wenzel
Rap coordinator
June 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hello from Biraban 5/6P,
This is our response for Rap Point 1. We have put some of our own answers together for you to read.
Why is it important to know about your own identity or culture?
• It is important that you know where your family comes from and where the last place was that they lived. My dad is Aboriginal and my mum is white. They were both born in Australia. Dad went To Toronto High School and Mum went to Cardiff.
• It is very important to know where you and your family come from. It helps explain who you are where you come from and your heritage. My dad is Aboriginal and my mum is white. They are two different people in many ways. My dad was born in NSW and my mum was born in Perth (Western Australia).
• It is important to know your heritage. I don’t think about it much but one day I will!!!
• Why it is important to know our culture? Because: you will know who you are. And you will feel free and you will know where you are going in life. And you will also know where you have been in life.
You have the rights to know about were you come from and how you are?
• My family background is really important to me and it makes me happy to know who I am and I love to know who I am because my family comes from two tribes. One tribe is the Bundjalung, Bundjalung. Bundjalung is a place where you can go and you can always play and go as far as you want to go. The other part of me is my Nana’s side. She comes from Kempsey.
• It is important to know our culture because we will know who we are, were we fit in and where we don’t. We will know where we are heading in life and we will know what we are going to do for a living. It is also important because we will not know who we are and it may feel embarrassing.
What is an important thing someone has told you that has helped you in your life?
• My best advice is from my dad that you should always listen to the Awabakal People and do not go where ever you want with out telling your parents. Don’t take your life too far when you are just a kid.
• The best advice my dad has ever gave me is that you should always stay a distance away from a fire, oven and all hot things that you can burn yourself on.
• Believe in my family - never let down the family.
• The best advice I have been given in my life is: focus on what job I want when I am young and then I can achieve anything.
• The best advice I have been given is, When you run, pace bigger steps - not smaller - because you will trip over yourself, and when you write do not tilt to the right tilt to the left.
• My best advice from my mum is to always be polite and nice to other people.
• My mother said once that I need to focus on my maths so I tried hard, I reached my goal and I never gave up.
• Work comes before success, not the other way!
From Biraban 5/6P
June 19th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Good Day Biraban 5/6P - Your work is fantastic!
You have done so much thinking about why we need to know where are from and your messages for a good life are very interesting. As you say, it is really important for us to be able to know where we come from and where we are headed.
I’m struck by these ideas which you have listed - they are lessons I will pass on to people.
* Focus on the job you want - work comes before success!
* Never let the family down.
* Tell your parents where you are going.
You have had some great advice from the adults in your life! Thanks for sharing.
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Je (hey) Biraban 5/6P,
Excellent effort! Even though I don’t know you, I feel as if I am learning so much about you all. It is great to hear about your backgrounds. I too come from two cultures ,- an Aboriginal dad, and a non-Aboriginal mum. Always remember how important it is to value and respect both your cultures equally. Try to take the best from both to guide the person you would like to be.
I have a special connection with the Bundjalung nation… they are my people. If you are of Aboriginal heritage, it is good to try to learn some of the Dreaming stories of your people, they are beautiful, and the ‘lore stories’ help us to live the good way. It also makes you proud to be able to share those stories with your non-Aboriginal friends.
Your list of “important things” is bugal (good). You are all getting excellent advice from wise people. It would have been great to be there and listen in on the conversations you have been having together, and the good advice you have been sharing.
Bugal wahn (good work)
Maureen Wenzel
Rap coordinator
June 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hi everyone,
Sorry we are so late but as we are not doing this in class time, we’ve split up our rap points.
Bianca has been thinking about Rap Point 1… This is her response.
” I think it is important to know more about me and my past. When I say my past, I also mean other people who have been here before me and how they have related to me. I think it is important to know the history of my family. One of my grandparent’s relatives was one of the first to claim land in their area. They asked the person who owned the land if they could have it and he said “yes” because he was going to die soon. My family is proud of them.”
” I liked some of the tips from penrithrappers. I get the same things said to me.”
I was asked what tips I would give for living a good life, so here they are…
1. Listen to your mum, because she knows you and who you are.
2. Use your brain because some decisions you have to decide for yourself ( even after you have listened to your mum)
3. Value your family and your friends, and look after them so they will be there to look after you too.
“I think my family’s cultural background has helped me see what is important and to to see how my values will help me in the future. My family is my cultural background, and family is important to us all.”
Bianca, for the Wollumbin Bloggers.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Good Day Bianca for the Wollumbin Bloggers!
It is absolutely fantastic that one of your grandparent’s relatives made a successful land claim - brilliant! I also like your idea about finding out all you can about your family history.
Your messages for living a good life are very wise, Bianca. I agree that it is great to listen to someone like a mum who knows us really well, then sometimes we go on to make up our own minds because some decisions have to be made alone.
As you say, our family IS our cultural background and affects us deeply. You sound like a very thoughtful and kind person - all the best!
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator
June 30th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Hello rappers!
This is what we came up with in response to the readings:
Why do we need to know our land and people?
*so we know our environment
*gives people a sense of belonging about where we come from
*so we respect our culture land and past
What makes us Strong?
*love from our family
*regular exercise
*past experiences
What do we value?
*people who have helped us throughout our journeys
*our family and friends
What stories should be told?
*Stories about our past and whats predicted for the future
*Stories that inspire us
*Stories of humanity, equity, and empathy
We believe that living a good life involves:
*stressfree
*leisure
*family
*friends
*exercise
*money
*eating healthy
*positivity
June 30th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Good Day 7R1 at Delroy - Love your work!
Wow - You have come up with so many great ideas in response to these topics. I really like your link between people and their environment - it makes so much sense that if we know about our land we will respect our culture and environment so much more. You are also right that past experiences make us strong - if we can keep surviving through tough times, we learn that we CAN do it. As you say, love from family is also a great help in forming our identities. Stories that inspire us are the ones that we always remember. These stories have great humanity and they build empathy in us - these are fantastic points which you have made!!!
Your messages for living a good life are extremely practical - thank you 7R1.
Lizzie Chase
Rap Coordinator