Elements of Country: a First Nations-first approach to chemistry

• Published in: Chemistry Teacher International
• Main Authors: Masters Anthony, Greenfield Peta, Davison Cameron, Evans Janelle G., Motion Alice, Barrett Jennifer, Troy Jakelin, Constantine Kate, Jackson Pulver Lisa Rae
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2023
• Subjects: cultural heritage; first nations-first; periodic table; translation; Chemistry; QD1-999; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2022-0055; https://doaj.org/article/2cc4c979f15d42e08a1eeb24ab0c1d7f

Collectively, we have chosen to explore an Australian First Nations-first approach to understanding the chemical elements. We believe that engagement with cultural heritage, ongoing cultures, and the knowledges of this place—the lands on which we work, live, and study—will lead to new ways of understanding the elements and change the way we practice chemistry. The “First Nations first” phrase and approach comes from understanding the unique place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have in the Australian context. In this paper we explore how a First Nations-first approach could take place in Sydney on Aboriginal lands. This approach is led by Aboriginal people, engages with culture, and is produced with local knowledge holders. So far, the work has entailed two years of meeting, conversing, and sharing space to determine appropriate ways of working together, interrogating the complexities of the ideas, and to refining our approach to the work. To appreciate the significant shift that a First Nations-first approach represents for chemistry, we consider the legacy of the Periodic Table. We share some reflections on how Indigenous knowledges can contribute to an expanded chemistry curriculum through the recognition of productive cultural tension.