Dark Emu Story, The (ATOM Study Guide)

A thought-provoking, revelatory and inspiring documentary from First Nations production company Blackfella Films that tells the story of Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu – the publishing phenomenon that challenged Australia to rethink its history and ignited a raging debate.

The 2014 best-selling book makes the explosive claim that First Nations people were not only hunters and gatherers but also farmers who were part of a complex economic system. Inspired by the journals of famous British explorers, the book prosecutes the contentious argument that First Nations people settled in villages, lived in houses, devised extraordinary methods of aquaculture and astronomy and were, amongst many other achievements, the world’s first bakers.

Pascoe’s compelling claims threaten to rewrite our history, smash the orthodoxy and turn views of ‘traditional’ Aboriginal life on their head.

But Dark Emu has ignited a fierce debate, sparking searing criticism. Academics and conservative commentators have lined up to pour scorn upon Pascoe’s work and question the knowledge of the First Australians. Amidst the storm, a public war of words then swirled over the Aboriginality and identity of the author himself.

The Dark Emu Story is a feature-length documentary film that delves into the controversy, provides a platform for First Nations people to share their remarkable stories and enlightens our understanding of Australian history.

Curriculum Links:

The Dark Emu Story has links to the following learning areas within the Australian Curriculum. Please note this list is not exhaustive:

• Year 11 Modern History
• Year 9 History
• Geography
• Media Arts
• Science
• Civics & Citizenship