Papunya School Book of Country and History
Written in collaboration with staff and students, Papunya School
Allen & Unwin, 2001
This book tells the story of how Aboriginal people from five different desert homelands came to live together in the small community of Papunya in the Northern Territory. From the time of first contact with explorers, missionaries and pastoralists through to the foundation of the Papunya art movement and the Warumpi Band, this multi-layered text finally takes us to Papunya School, and its unique vision for education. As an example of two-way learning, this book is a profound metaphor for reconciliation.
Selected Reviews
“A salutary example of shared authority in the writing of history and demonstrates the educational imperatives of the reconciliation process.”
“The Papunya School Book combines language simple enough for primary school children with concepts too complex for many Australian politicians”
“No course in Australian history, at whatever level, will ever be complete now without the Papunya School Book of Country and History.”
Awards
Winner, Eve Pownall Award, CBCA Awards, 2002
Winner History for Young People section of the NSW Premier's History Awards 2002
Winner, Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing, 2002