BlackCard provides training and consultancy services to enable people and organisations to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community. BlackCard’s approach is based on a number of courses developed by Dr Lilla Watson and Dr Mary Graham, Aboriginal Elders and Educators and long-time course developers and lecturers for the University of Queensland. The courses they developed and taugh
t were core university subjects such as “Aboriginal Perspectives” and “Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge” both at an undergraduate and post- graduate level since the 1970’s. BlackCard's educational workshops are informed and guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference which include: Law, philosophy, ethics, governance, and are based on all the knowledge that Aboriginal people have accumulated, developed and have practiced over the many thousands of years they have lived on this Great South Island now known as Australia. The workshops are most helpful to people who wish to work with Aboriginal people in a more meaningful way, by increasing their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Culture, and history, Aboriginal English to improve communication between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. BlackCard workshops can be of benefit to both State and Federal Governments and their Departments involved in Aboriginal Affairs, also for Universities, and the Private sector and Corporations who have involvement in Aboriginal education, employment, training, mentoring and all other areas. The Workshops are also open to people who just wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and history. The underlying theme of the course is based on Aboriginal Terms of Reference. Of equal importance is the theme of colonialism, which is crucial to understanding the position of Aboriginal people as well as non-Aboriginal people in society today. Then after wards, the holder may be reassessed and issued for a further two years. The BlackCard Course and Modules would also suit individuals who wish to further their knowledge of Aboriginal Australians. Purpose of the BlackCard
BlackCard indicates that the holder has acquired a level of competence in communication and negotiation skills and the appropriate ability, tact, and perception to work with:
Aboriginal people, individuals, communities, groups, organisations and sectors, in the capacity of the helping professions - like social workers, nurses, psychologists, legal advisors, technicians, teachers, human resource sectors
Issues that impact on Aboriginal people like housing, employment training, education, health; Aboriginal specific issues like Native Title, Stolen Generations, Stolen Wages, Deaths in custody; broader social issues like Cultural Heritage, environment and climate change;
All levels of Government; Institutions, Statutory Bodies, Corporations, Companies and Inustries in relation to any Aboriginal matters, events and issues. The allocation of a BlackCard also indicates that the Holder has acquired a high level of knowledge, understandingand insight about Aboriginal culture, history, politics and perspectives.
