Kendall Community Preschool is committed to building and maintaining positive, respectful relationships with the traditional custodians of the land on which the preschool stands: the Biripi people. We are committed to providing all children and families with meaningful, considered experiences that build respect and knowledge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture, and the importance of the land in which we learn and grow.

We believe the Australian indigenous culture provides important knowledge for developing environmentally sustainable practices including caring for the land, and the benefits of native flora and fauna. We strive to learn, adopt and share these with the preschool community through the curriculum, in conversation and through action in our nature-based environment and commitment to sustainable practices.

Recognition of the traditional custodians of the land is more than the creation of a sign or the addition of a flag, we need to consider carefully how we represent ideas and information in ways that promote respect and work towards reconciliation. Each morning at preschool we come together to share a song acknowledging country. This song says thank you to the Biripi people for their wisdom and care for the land, and embraces a shared vision to care for the Biripi totems: the kangaroo, dolphin, eagle, shark, stingray, crab and bass fish together.

The Gatthang language is introduced to preschoolers in greeting and for the Biripi totems. Art and music of the Biripi people and other Aboriginal nations is embedded in the curriculum through learning journey explorations and classroom activities, in discussions about our local area and significant landmarks and in recognition of cultural events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

We believe the sharing of information and knowledge during the early years is a critical part of building positive relationships that binds communities. We have deliberately created an environment that provides opportunities for the community to link with children and traditional learning, through weaving, storytelling, the exploration of bush tucker, or our native bees. Connections with local schools and professional indigenous workshops for children and educators support respect for traditional practices and ways of knowing, encouraging the sharing of knowledge and skills across our local Biripi communities.