Meet the Rainbow Serpent

Wildlife and Country: Aboriginal Perspectives

These resources explore  the cultural significance of native Australian wildlife through Aboriginal perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge. Students learn how Indigenous trackers played a vital role in early scientific studies and how animals were respectfully used for food, tools, clothing and cultural purposes, with nothing wasted.

Students also examine the ongoing importance of species such as the Brush-tailed Bettong in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and explore modern Indigenous-led conservation initiatives such as the Marna Bangarra rewilding project. Through activities linking traditional animal names to species, students gain insight into the diversity of Indigenous languages and the deep connection between people, animals and Country.

🧩 What students will learn 

• Understand the cultural importance of native species to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  
• Explore how Indigenous knowledge supported early scientific research and animal tracking
  
• Learn how all parts of an animal were traditionally used for food, tools, clothing and cultural purposes
  
• Recognise the role of species such as the Brush-tailed Bettong as “soil engineers” and their importance to Country
  
• Investigate contemporary conservation efforts, including Indigenous-led projects such as Marna Bangarra on the Yorke Peninsula
  
• Learn that traditional animal names differ across Indigenous language groups and explore examples of local names

✅ Recommended Learning Levels

Activities are suitable for Upper Primary to Lower Secondary (Years 4–8) and can be adapted depending on depth of discussion.