Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and assist with the documentation of an Aboriginal cultural landscape on Country from an Aboriginal perspective.
This unit applies to Aboriginal sites workers who are working with experts to identify and record Aboriginal cultural landscapes on and off Country.
The unit applies to working with lore/law men and women either as an autonomous Sites worker or under the supervision and cultural authority of Traditional Owners and Elders for specific Country and is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists.
This unit applies to all Aboriginal sites workers. However, cultural beliefs and practices vary across locations and communities and in some situations non-Aboriginal learners may not be able to access the cultural knowledge or materials required to achieve competency in this unit due to restrictions applied to non-Aboriginal people gaining access to cultural knowledge, material or sites. In these situations the Registered Training Organisation will be required to make alternative arrangements for learners that are still consistent with the delivery and assessment requirements for this unit.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify the characteristics of Aboriginal cultural landscapes on Country | 1.1 Identify Aboriginal cultural landscapes and associated sites and features of cultural significance 1.2 Determine boundaries and extent of Country 1.3 Apply the concept of lore/law in the land 1.4 Describe Aboriginal cultural landscapes in ecological and archaeological terms, Aboriginal cultural language and spiritual terms, and traditional Aboriginal economic terms 1.5 Identify archaeological evidence of landforms |
2. Participate in investigations of cultural and historical records of an Aboriginal cultural landscape | 2.1 Identify from relevant databases or websites whether any historical records or previous research is available for the site 2.2 Participate in research activities to determine traditional understanding of the cycle of the seasons and meteorological phenomena, and of landform and vegetation community types in a cultural landscape 2.3 Determine environmental cultural knowledge, cultural connections and relationships with the landscape that are passed down generationally 2.4 Carry out investigations on Country in accordance with safe work policies and procedures, enterprise requirements and Burra Charter guidelines |
3. Identify Aboriginal cultural value links to cultural landscapes | 3.1 Identify cultural landscapes and determine links with Aboriginal cultural and Community knowledge 3.2 Describe relationships between Creation stories, oral histories, kinship and totemic to the cultural landscape 3.3 Identify gender access, roles and usage as this relates to the cultural landscape 3.4 Identify Aboriginal cultural values in cultural landscapes 3.5 Identify links between archaeological evidence and cultural landscapes 3.6 Identify indicators in the landscape that reveal traditional Aboriginal land management practices |
4. Describe Aboriginal cultural practices and beliefs which maintain cultural connections to cultural landscapes | 4.1 Identify appropriate persons within Communities who hold cultural knowledge 4.2 Identify appropriate Cultural Knowledge holders and/or Cultural Manager for an Aboriginal cultural landscape 4.3 Recount the range and interrelationship of Aboriginal beliefs and Aboriginal cultural and ceremonial practices that maintain connection with the cultural landscape 4.4 Document the associations of connection to Country through language, stories, song, dance and art if appropriate according to Community protocols and customs relating to disclosure of knowledge, using archaeological and Aboriginal terminology |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
discuss Aboriginal cultural landscapes in ecological and archaeological terms, Aboriginal cultural, language and spiritual terms and traditional Aboriginal economic terms
relate Creation stories, oral histories, kinship and totemic relationships to the cultural landscape
follow Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols when using information on sites, objects and cultural landscapes
identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, site, story or Ceremony
describe the range and interrelationship of Aboriginal cultural and ceremonial practices undertaken to maintain connection with the culture
use Aboriginal names and archaeological terminology to describe landscapes and cultural connections.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the Community’s Aboriginal history and cultural values
Community protocols
authentic and authoritative sources for Aboriginal cultural information, material and expression able to be accessed and shared
designated cultural areas and features of Country, boundaries and extent of Country
Aboriginal cultural values of landform types
archaeological evidence of landform types
types of land features that have high possibility of cultural heritage being present
creation stories, oral histories, kinship and totemic relationships to the cultural landscape
key principles, values and practices of Aboriginal cultural knowledge
lore/laws, customs and speaking rights
connection to Country through stories, song, dance and art
protocols and customs relating to disclosure of knowledge about Country
key concepts of Cultural and Heritage Legislation or National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) legislation relevant to own role
key concepts of the Burra Charter.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must comply with Community protocols and be supported by Elders and Custodians of Country.
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Aboriginal Sites Work (ASW)