The Spiral Curriculum

The Spiral Curriculum (TSC) is a First Nations led Cultural learning space envisioned by Jackie Sheppard. The Spiral Curriculum draws on the symbol of spirals and cycles to explore First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing in a contemporary setting. Through storytelling, land-based somatics, Deep Listening and First Nations dramaturgy, The Spiral Curriculum delivers First Nations cultural education and revitalisation through a unique learning process.

Jackie formed The Spiral Curriculum after a decade of place-based dance, somatics and Deep Listening. Their practice continues to unfold as an evolving process of discovery. Jackie uses The Spiral Curriculum to resists colonialism by centring First Nations ways of knowing, giving equal space to intuitive logic and reason.

The Spiral Curriculum is a co-created experience that engages with a range of First Nations themes, ideas and topics. Some of the focuses inclide story mapping, seeing with the six senses, and land-based embodiment. Participants can developed their embodied knowledge of First Nations perspectives through storytelling. The Spiral Curriculum re-locates the emotional, spiritual, and human experience back into the learning process.

The Spiral Curriculum is designed to be a shifting & evolving co-learning expereince that supports First Nations Cultural revitalisation, preservation, and literacy. The space is taliored first and foremost to the First Nations community of so-called Australia; and secondly, toward broader communitites to who wish to broaden their understandings.

The foundational questions of Jackies research are:

How does one develop an embodied connection with Country? How can this expand our awareness and perspectives?

How can First Nations storying help to broaden our understanding of community practice in relationship with our landscape?

How can we create awareness of our 'inner stories' and life experiences through storying, listening and Place-based connectivity?

Through considering these quesitons, Jackie has continued to articulate their understanding of place-based orientations and relationship systems. The concepts that The Spiral Curriculum work with are a part of an already exisiting fabric of First Nations knowledges in so-called "Australia". The ideas that Jackie works with are interpreted through their personal embodied knowledge and storytelling practice.

***This is not a space that performs Dreaming stories. Participants should not expect to learn "traditional" dances or watch "traditional" stories. Those who are wanting to leanr about the local land and its Cultural significance should contact the local Custodians of their area.***