Looking for a way to teach your students more about First Nations Australian traditions? Our Traditional Foods worksheets are ideal to use when celebrating NAIDOC Week!

In this activity, students will sort and record information about traditional First Nations foods and share their own perspectives about the foods they enjoy.

To suit the needs of your class, we have provided three versions of this task:

1. Students will cut, sort and paste 8 images of native flora and fauna food sources into a table. They will then reflect on whether they have ever tried any of the foods listed. Finally, students will draw the foods they enjoy eating.
2. Students will cut, sort and paste 8 images of native flora and fauna food sources into a table. They will then reflect on whether they have ever tried any of the foods listed and name a food they would like to try. Finally, students will draw and label the foods they enjoy eating.
3. Students will research native flora and fauna food sources and draw and label them in the table. They will then reflect on whether they have ever tried any of the foods listed and name and describe a food they would like to try. Finally, students will draw and label the foods they enjoy eating.

Some ideas for classroom discussions and research prior to completing this worksheet include:

1. What do the words ‘traditional’, ‘native’, ‘flora’ and ‘fauna’ mean?
2. What is the difference between flora and fauna?
3. What tools have been used by First Nations peoples to hunt and gather food?
4. Facilitate taste testing some native Australian foods (ensure you consider any allergies prior to doing this).
5. Invite a First Nations Australian elder or visitor to speak to the class about traditional foods, culture and traditions.

Enlarge the resource to A3 to provide additional room for students’ drawings and writing.

Check out more of our amazing NAIDOC Week resources:

1. NAIDOC Week: Exploring Country Worksheets
2. NAIDOC Week: First Nations Australians in Sport Foldable
3. NAIDOC Week: Keep the Fire Burning Collaborative Art Display
4. NAIDOC Week: Keep the Fire Burning Craft