Step back in time and explore the creativity, skill, and science behind traditional Aboriginal tool making. This engaging and interactive workshop invites participants to learn how Aboriginal people crafted stone and wooden artefacts with intelligence, care, and a deep respect for Country.
About the Workshop
The Ancient Tools & Clever Hands session provides a unique opportunity to see, touch, and connect with authentic artefacts. Each tool tells a story of adaptation, observation, and survival. Guided by First Nations facilitators, participants discover how Aboriginal makers carefully selected materials and collected resources sustainably from their surroundings.
Furthermore, the workshop explains why each tool had a specific purpose in daily life, hunting, and ceremony. Participants also explore the science within culture, as traditional tool making relied on detailed knowledge of physics, chemistry, and engineering. These techniques reveal how Aboriginal people transformed natural materials into strong and effective tools long before modern technology.
As the session unfolds, participants are encouraged to ask questions, reflect, and share insights. Through this exchange, they begin to recognise that Aboriginal technologies are not remnants of the past. Instead, they represent living knowledge systems that continue to guide sustainable practices and inspire modern innovation today.
Key Learning Areas
Cultural Knowledge: Discover how tool making connects people, Country, and community.
Sustainability: Understand how careful selection and resource management protect the environment.
Science in Culture: Explore the engineering and design principles embedded in Aboriginal innovation.
Hands-On Experience: Handle artefacts directly and observe their craftsmanship up close.
Respect and Reflection: Appreciate the continuing value of Aboriginal knowledge in today’s world.
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will:
Understand how Aboriginal innovation blends culture and science.
Recognise the role of sustainable resource use in tool making.
Appreciate the intelligence and creativity of First Nations peoples.
Build deeper respect for Aboriginal knowledge and its relevance today.