Bringing Indigenous Knowledge Into Education

Connecting the Dots through Culture is making significant strides in embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everyday practice within education and support services.

Established in 2019, the company is dedicated to training educators and professionals to create culturally inclusive environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children feel valued, respected, and seen.

Co-founders Jackie Bennett and Cecelia See Kee bring decades of experience in community work and education. Their shared vision arose from a recognised need for sustainable, long-term programs that go beyond the short-term cycles of government funding.

“Our biggest mission is working within the Early Childhood sector—because that’s where real change begins,” says the team.

Connecting the Dots through Culture delivers a range of training programs, including the powerful ‘Hidden Histories’ workshop, which explores Australia’s true history from pre-colonisation to the present day. The program invites participants to reflect on where their own family histories intersect with this timeline, creating space for personal connection and understanding.

The organisation’s professional development packages also include mentoring and hands-on workshops, typically delivered in small groups to foster meaningful discussion and engagement.

A standout feature of their work is the immersive study tours to Cherbourg and Thursday Island. These experiences allow educators to learn firsthand about the rich diversity within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities offering a deeper insight into the diversity of the two cultures.

In addition to training, Connecting the Dots through Culture now offers a growing range of educational resources—books, puzzles, and culturally responsive teaching tools—available at their newly expanded shopfront on Palm Terrace in Ingham.

With a growing national reach, Connecting the Dots through Culture continues to foster cultural understanding within education and community services.