Skip links

Strong and Smart

Strong and Smart is a strengths-based approach that signals a ‘belief in the capacity’ of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to perform as well as any other child, regardless of the complexity of their social and cultural context. Every child can be both Strong in identity and culture and Smart in the classroom.

Strong and Smart

Strong and Smart is described by Dr Chris Sarra in Strong and Smart – Towards a Pedagogy for Emancipation. The book draws upon Roy Bhaskar’s theory of Critical Realism to demonstrate how Indigenous people have agency and can take control of their own emancipation. 

Dr Sarra calls for Indigenous Australians to radically transform and not simply reproduce the identity that Mainstream White Australia has sought to foster for them. He seeks to advance the novel position that it is OK to be other to White Australia. The question becomes, “which other?” The Indigenous Student should not be treated as the Feared and/or Despised Other, nor should they be coerced into wholly assimilating into White culture.

Sarra, C. (2011). Strong and Smart – Towards a Pedagogy for Emancipation: Education for first peoples. Oxon, UK: Routledge.

Strong and Smart - Towards a Pedagogy for Emancipation

FURTHER BOOKS AND ARTICLES ABOUT STRONG AND SMART

  • Sarra, C. (2018).  Celebrating Difference.  Transcending contamination with humanity. Griffith Review 60 First Things First.
  • Sarra, C. (2018).  Strong and smart: investing in Indigenous children.  Sambell Oration 2018.  Brotherhood of St Laurence.
  • Sarra, C. (2017). “Stronger Smarter: A sustained and enduring approach to Indigenous education (whether education researchers know it or not!)” (2017). 2009 – 2017 ACER Research Conferences.6.
  • http://research.acer.edu.au/research_conference/RC2017/
    28august/6

Join a program and be part of the Stronger Smarter Journey