Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop an understanding of one's own cultural identity. The local cultural knowledge necessary to achieve competency in this unit may only be accessible to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. This unit also recognises that there is no single Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture.

This unit deals with complex and interrelated elements of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultures which are the cultural and intellectual properties of specific communities. These may only be interpreted by appropriate persons, e.g. those recognised by the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community as an Elder or custodian of local cultural knowledge.

Any organisation or individual planning to train or assess this unit would be expected to work closely with the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, for example through establishing a local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander reference group. In particular, it is vital to ensure respectful integration of any local cultural knowledge or protocols that will inform the implementation of the unit.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Prerequisite units 

This unit has linkages to a range of other units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:

• units within the Visual Arts Craft and Design Training Package
• units within the Tourism Training Package.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Seek information on own region or Country .

1.1 Identify and consult with appropriate persons  to obtain knowledge of own region or Country.

1.2 Identify other relevant sources of information  on own region or Country.

1.3 Access information and people in a culturally appropriate way which shows respect for local Indigenous culture and customs.

2 Seek information on family and kinship .

2.1 Correctly identify holders of information and consult with appropriate persons in relation to kinship and family.

2.2 Identify other relevant sources of information on family and kinship.

2.3 Collect appropriate information on family and kinship in a culturally appropriate way which shows respect for local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture and customs.

3 Use information to develop concept of identity .

3.1 Examine information to determine own Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity in relation to Country and kinship.

3.2 Consider how the concept of 'belonging to country" in relation to culture, family and kinship may inform artistic practice.

3.3 Use information in a culturally appropriate way at all times, including identification of how and with whom information can be shared.

Required Skills and knowledge 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills :

• understanding of Aboriginality and the concept of cultural diversity within an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander context
• understanding of the cultural values that underpin aspects of one's local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
• understanding of family units and broader social organisational aspects of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, e.g. extended family, community, women's roles, men's roles.

Required knowledge :

• general knowledge of own Country and region, e.g. customs, ceremonies, relationship to land
• general knowledge of own family and kinship
• matters of protocol within Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander societies
• protocols for accessing information and communicating with different community members, e.g. gaining permission, consultation, issues of ownership/custodianship
• the ways in which knowledge can be used, how it should be used and with whom it can be shared
• the ways in which Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander protocols and cultural values impact on work practices in different contexts, e.g. artistic practice, tourism, including issues of copyright, intellectual copyright and culturally appropriate commercial activity.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• knowledge of sources of information
• ability to access and use information in a culturally appropriate way.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment must provide for:

• involvement of persons approved of by Elders of the relevant local community in the assessment process.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge
• review of portfolios of evidence
• third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.

Assessment of this unit requires access to information sources on relevant regions and Countries.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Appropriate persons  for information on region, country, family and kinship may include:

• accepted Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural educators
• Elders
• family groups
• local community groups
• relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisations.

Other sources of information  on region, Country, family and kinship may include:

• archives
• books
• CDs
• community art organisations
• cultural centres
• galleries
• Internet
• libraries
• museums
• own observation
• secondary sources
• videos.