ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify the characteristics of Aboriginal cultural landscapes on Country

1.1 Aboriginal cultural landscapes and associated sites and features of cultural significance are accurately identified

1.2 The concept of lore/law in the land is determined and applied

1.3 Aboriginal cultural landscapes in ecological and archaeological terms, Aboriginal cultural language and spiritual terms, and traditional Aboriginal economic terms are identified

2. Investigate cultural and historical records of an Aboriginal cultural landscape

2.1 Traditional understanding of the cycle of the seasons and meteorological phenomena, and of landform and vegetation Community types in a cultural landscape are researched

2.2 Environmental cultural knowledge, cultural connections and relationships with the landscape that are passed down generationally are determined

3. Identify Aboriginal cultural values links to cultural landscapes

3.1 Cultural landscapes and links with Aboriginal cultural and Community knowledge are identified

3.2 Creation stories, oral histories, kinship and totemic relationships to the cultural landscape are recounted

3.3 Gender access, roles and usage as this relates to the cultural landscape are identified

3.4 Aboriginal cultural values in cultural landscapes are identified

3.5 Links between archaeological evidence to cultural landscapes are determined

3.6 Indicators in the landscape that reveal traditional Aboriginal land management practices are identified

4. Describe Aboriginal cultural practices and beliefs which maintain cultural connections to cultural landscapes

4.1 The identification by cultural authorities of appropriate persons within Communities who hold cultural knowledge is performed

4.2 Appropriate Cultural Knowledge holders and/or Cultural Manager for an Aboriginal cultural landscape are identified

4.3 The range and interrelationship of Aboriginal beliefs and Aboriginal cultural and ceremonial practices that maintain connection with the cultural landscape are researched and recounted

4.4 The associations of connection to Country through language, stories, song, dance and art is documented if appropriate

4.5 Appropriate measures to ensure adequate cultural maintenance of the cultural landscape are determined

Required skills include:

Ability to:

collect and document cultural information

identify cultural Knowledge Holders

identify cultural value of landform types

research and recount cultural and ceremonial practices

operate according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

discuss matters relating to traditional customs with the appropriate people according to Community protocols

discuss gender roles in a culturally appropriate manner

recognise general situations in regard to interaction of mainstream law and management with traditional customs

carry out basic investigative research on areas of use of traditional customs

observe protocols for entry to traditional lands

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from Traditional Owners/s, Elders, Supervisor, etc.

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

exercise discretion and confidentiality

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

Aboriginal history, cultural values and interpersonal and 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

creation stories, oral histories, kinship and totemic relationships to the cultural landscape

key principles, values and practices of Aboriginal cultural knowledge

Community 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

Cultural and Heritage Legislation or relevant NPWS legislation

sustainable environmental practices

legislative and enterprise requirements relevant to workplace health and safety and the environment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The delivery and assessment of this unit must comply with Community protocols and be carried out in consultation with and in participation with Traditional Owners and/or Elders and custodians of that specific Country.

In accordance with Aboriginal cultural protocols, cultural knowledge copyright considerations and Aboriginal lore/law restrictions, it is essential that this requirement be respected and implemented in the delivery and assessment of Cultural Units to guarantee cultural authenticity and quality control around the delivery of training and assessment for Aboriginal-sites workers.

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations on Country and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:

Explain 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

Use information on sites, objects and cultural landscapes according to Community guidelines and Aboriginal cultural protocols

Identify appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, Site and/or story and/or ceremony

Research the range and interrelationship of Aboriginal cultural and ceremonial practices whereby connection with the cultural landscape is maintained

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment events must be contextualised to meet the needs of the particular group, including:

a Community, educational or workplace setting on Country

involvement of people approved by cultural authorities and/or Traditional Owners of the relevant local Community

candidates who have gained relevant knowledge and skills through their life experience

Resources for assessment in this unit may include:

Culture and Heritage guidelines and legislation in different jurisdictions

State library and archival information

Burra Charter

Archaeology industry guidelines, procedures and policies

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in recognising and recording Aboriginal-sites, artefacts and cultural landscapes. The primary method of assessment for this unit should include participation on Country by candidates in simulated or actual work practices relevant to Sites work.

The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of the candidate on Country and in Aboriginal communities describing and mapping Aboriginal cultural landscapes

direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

verbal or written questioning

observation of participation in Ceremony and/or Sites work related to the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols

AHCASW305A Work with Aboriginal ceremonial secret sacred materials

AHCASW308A Apply cultural significance to Aboriginal-sites and landscapes

AHCASW311A Use relevant legislation in Aboriginal-sites work

Assessment for this unit should comprise a combination of theory and practical application. Both aspects of assessment are best conducted on Country for this unit.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Cultural landscapes may include:

places and areas made up of living stories that have connections to the past and can include natural resources, objects, customs and traditions (and their contexts)

places of land, sea and air where cultural and natural elements are considered together

Cultural significance may include:

aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations

significance embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects

Cultural knowledgemay include:

Aboriginal land, landscape features, rivers, lakes and sea resources and their uses, and the relationships between plants, animals and individuals, clans and Community

Aboriginal beliefs, values, spirituality, language, lore/law, customs, gender roles, kinship networks, factions, moieties, and speaking rights

ceremonies, rituals, stories, song, dance and art

traditional and current land management practices

Aboriginal-sites, places, objects, material and landscapes

names, locations and meanings

Aboriginal cultural protocols

Aboriginal cultural heritage

the cultural significance of Aboriginal knowledge

Cultural connections may include:

totemic relationships with Ancestral beings which now form part of the cultural landscape

geographical locations

access to cultural sites, land and cultural landscapes

obligation relationships to protect and maintain place, species, sites and landforms

ceremonial duties

cultural knowledge duties

Aboriginal cultural values may include:

aesthetic aspects

historic aspects

scientific aspects

social and spiritual elements

cultural knowledge

Ceremonial knowledge

lore/law

Archaeological evidence may include:

Aboriginal material

objects

pigments

pollen

charcoal

Cultural authorities may include:

Cultural authority refers to the most appropriate senior person/s that is able to speak for particular Country, cultural objects, ceremony and/or materials in a specific place. A cultural authority could be a Traditional Owner, a Native Title Claimant, Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Body, Elder, Aboriginal Land Council, etc.

A ceremonial/cultural manager in terms of Aboriginal customary law means someone who does the work either under the direct supervision of the Aboriginal Owner or does the work that is authorised by the Owner. In a ceremony for example, the ceremonial manager(s) may provide the food and do the performance (work). Traditional roles and responsibilities swap over depending on a person’s status in any given situation – i.e. – whose land / estate one is on for business.

Aboriginal beliefs may refer to:

connection to Country

creation events

structure of Community such as lore/law men and women, elders and custodians

practicality and purpose

appropriate behaviour, protocols and restrictions

spiritual value of knowledge and stories

communal ownership of some knowledge and material

intergenerational ownership of some knowledge and material

oral tradition of passing on knowledge and responsibilities

roles as custodians of specified knowledge, ceremony, designs, information

kinship and relationships

storytelling