Indigenous Knowledges and Practices

Indigenous Knowledges span a broad spectrum, encompassing traditional ecological knowledge and practices that have sustained our cultures on Country for over 60,000 years, as well as contemporary practices that continue to strengthen our selves, families, and communities. 

We offer holistic Indigenous Knowledges learning experiences that are both local and global, deeply rooted in Noongar ways of knowing, doing, and being.  

In this comprehensive major, you will explore valuable alternative and complimentary perspectives to Western-based disciplinary knowledge, engaging with Indigenous histories, cultures, social and emotional wellbeing and the connections between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. 

Your studies will combine theory with immersive, hands-on experiences, including field trips to culturally significant sites and interactive workshops led by local Noongar knowledge holders and Elders. You will also learn from leading Indigenous academics, gaining valuable insights while developing intercultural communication skills and cross-cultural sensitivity. 

With this understanding of Indigenous knowledges and practices, you will be prepared to bring this knowledge into your workplace and community, contributing to better environments for First Nations people and Australia more broadly. Combining your studies with Indigenous Knowledges allows you to extend your perspectives, learning from tens of thousands of years of knowledge production to better prepare you to tackle some of today’s biggest issues. 

3 reasons to study a major in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices at Murdoch: 

• Learn from leading Indigenous academics and community knowledge holders while developing cross-cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills that are highly valued by employers. 
• Experience a multi-disciplinary approach, with perspectives spanning social, health, physical sciences, history and culture.  
• Murdoch’s School of Indigenous Knowledges is co-located with the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, creating authentic opportunities to learn from and with Indigenous peoples and communities.  

What you’ll learn: 

• How to thoughtfully and respectfully participate in public conversations important to Indigenous peoples and communities.   
• The synergies and points of divergence between Indigenous and Western knowledges and cultures and how they can be integrated  
• Skills to engage with cross-cultural topics, strengthening your intercultural communication in diverse professional settings.  
• Indigenous models of social and emotional wellbeing, grounded in Indigenous perspectives, values and practices. 
• How to critically analyse key social justice issues affecting contemporary indigenous peoples and communities in Australia.  

Your future career

A major in Indigenous Knowledges and Practices will prepare you to build the skills needed to succeed and make a real difference across a diverse range of sectors, including:  

• Indigenous community organisations  
• Research and academia 
• Government departments 
• Environmental and land management 
• NGO’s 
• Policy development