First Nations people significantly contributed to early European naturalist studies of Australian animals by sharing their deep knowledge of the local fauna and environment. This knowledge, gained over millennia of living on Country, included identifying and understanding the habits of various animals, as well as providing crucial assistance with collecting specimens and understanding animal behaviour. The knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also includes how these animals lived and survived in Australian environments.

Despite the significant contributions of First Nations people, their expertise was often undervalued or ignored by early European naturalists. There has been a growing effort to acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ crucial role in improving everyone’s understanding of Australian fauna and to recognise the importance of traditional ecological knowledge. 

When developing a teaching and learning program suitable for your school’s local context, refer to the FIRST framework to support engagement with First Australian communities and align with the Australian Curriculum. This framework is designed to help educators build meaningful relationships with their local community and ensures learning activities are authentic and culturally respectful.