Cultural Foundations of Leadership

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 6
Subject Area: Other (Indigenous Studies & Leadership)
Curriculum Links:

• Australian Curriculum – HASS (History & Civics and Citizenship) | Year 6
  • ACHASSK135: Experiences of Australian democracy and citizenship, including the status and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
  • ACHASSK140: The role of groups in the community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • ACHASSI127: Reflect on learning to propose individual and collective action

Unit Name: Indigenous Leadership Explorations (Lesson 2 of 10)
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 30 students

Lesson Objectives

• Understand the cultural values that underpin Indigenous leadership, specifically kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and whanaungatanga (relationships & connection).
• Explore the significance of community and connection in leadership.
• Analyse examples of Indigenous leadership in their local area.
• Reflect on how these values shape personal leadership perspectives.

Lesson Structure

1. Tuning In (15 minutes) – Community Leader Stories

Activity:

• Teacher begins by asking: “Who are the leaders in your community? What makes them great leaders?”
• Students brainstorm and share examples of local leaders, including Indigenous leaders, sports coaches, family members, or teachers.
• Teacher introduces the idea that Indigenous leadership often focuses on community, connection, and responsibility to land rather than individual power.
• Introduce and break down key terms:
  • Kaitiakitanga (ky-tee-ah-kee-tah-nga) – guardianship and responsibility for the environment and community.
  • Whanaungatanga (fah-nau-nga-tah-nga) – the importance of relationships and connection in leadership.

2. Explicit Teaching (15 minutes) – The Role of Community in Leadership

Discussion & Explanation:

• Teacher shares an example of a well-known Indigenous leader in Australia (e.g. Noel Pearson, Linda Burney, or a relevant local Indigenous leader).
• Discussion points:
  • How does this leader incorporate kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga?
  • How does Indigenous leadership differ from traditional Western leadership models?
• Show a short pre-selected clip or read a brief biographical excerpt about the leader to reinforce key ideas.

3. Guided Inquiry (20 minutes) – Leadership Reflection Walk

Activity:

• Split students into small groups of 3-4.
• Each group receives two question prompts:
  1. “What examples of kaitiakitanga can we see around us in our community (e.g., sustainability programs, local Elders caring for culture and land)?”
  2. “How do people in our school or family demonstrate whanaungatanga?”
• Students take a short ‘Reflection Walk’ around the school grounds or within the classroom, discussing connections.
• Groups return to class and share findings with the whole group in a quickfire style.

4. Reflection & Application (10 minutes) – Personal Leadership Pledge

Activity:

• Each student writes a short Leadership Pledge on a card or in their learning journals:
  • “I will show leadership by demonstrating kaitiakitanga through…”
  • “I will build whanaungatanga in my community by…”
• Volunteers share their pledges with the class.

Assessment & Success Criteria

✅ Students can explain the leadership values of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga in their own words.
✅ Students can identify examples of Indigenous leadership in their community.
✅ Students apply Indigenous leadership values to their personal actions.

Resources & Materials

• Whiteboard & markers
• Printed leadership pledge cards or student journals
• Short video or biographical excerpt on an Indigenous leader
• Outdoor or classroom space for guided inquiry

Extension & Differentiation

🔹 For advanced learners: Students research an Indigenous leader of their choice and present to the class in a later lesson.
🔹 For students needing support: Provide sentence starters or pair students for verbal explanations before written tasks.

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This detailed plan ensures Australian Year 6 students gain a deep, cultural understanding of Indigenous leadership values, while also reflecting on their own leadership potential in a meaningful way! 🚀