TIPIAC X RCR First Nations Education conference

The TIPIAC x Riley Callie Resources National First Nations Education Conference was born from a shared vision between TIPIAC and Riley Callie Resources - two 100% First Nations-owned education businesses committed to transforming how we approach teaching and learning in Australia.

We recognised the need for a space where educators could connect authentically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, not as an add-on to existing curricula, but as foundational wisdom that has guided learning for over 65,000 years.

This conference is more than an event - it's a movement toward educational practices that honor Country, celebrate community voices, and provide practical tools for creating inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms.

Grounding education in the rich and diverse knowledges of First Nations peoples means recognising that learning is relational, interconnected, and deeply tied to Country, culture, language, and community. When teaching and learning are shaped by these deep connections, classrooms become places where students understand the importance of story, identity, and belonging. We seek to centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives as foundational, not additional, to the way we understand knowledge, wellbeing, and the purpose of schooling. This involves honouring local community voices, valuing intergenerational knowledge, and creating learning environments where cultural ways of knowing, being, and doing are not only acknowledged but actively embedded. 

Offering practical tools and strategies for the classroom, this stream highlights the use of culturally responsive pedagogies such as the 8 Ways framework and Ernie Grant’s place-based approaches. Together, we will explore how educators can meaningfully integrate these models into daily practice to strengthen teaching, learning, and relationships with students and community. Participants will have the opportunity to unpack real examples, discuss implementation challenges, and consider how to adapt these approaches across different year levels and subject areas. There will be a strong focus on curriculum mapping to ensure First Nations knowledges are embedded with integrity, authenticity, and consistency, supporting schools to build sustainable and culturally grounded teaching practices.

Walking together with honesty and respect, this stream is grounded in truth-telling and the building of genuine, reciprocal relationships. Participants will explore practical strategies for acknowledging the history and ongoing experiences of First Nations peoples, elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, and fostering meaningful partnerships with local communities. The program also focuses on creating culturally safe and inclusive learning environments that fosters truth-telling, where every student feels seen, valued, and supported, and where diversity of identity, culture, and experience is embraced. Through examples, reflective activities, and collaborative discussion, educators will consider how to embed reconciliation principles into everyday practice, curriculum, and school culture.