This paper presents an account of 'Coming Closer: Sharing Australian Aboriginal Stories through Drawing and Painting', a project that has involved three diverse Australian Indigenous communities. In each setting Indigenous storytellers, arts educators and teachers collaborated to develop a teaching and learning model that engaged young children aged 4-10 years in an integrated arts experience that involved multiple literacies, including active listening, reflective art-making and creative writing.

Using narrative and other descriptive methods this paper uncovers the "essence of shared experience" (Patton) which frames the developing identities of young Australian Indigenous children in relation to their attachment to community, land and place. The significance of the teaching and learning model is discussed in relation to education for first nations or Indigenous children with emphasis placed on the development of language skills, and the inclusion of Indigenous history, culture and art within the learning environment.

Keywords

• Aboriginal Stories

(Virtual Presentation, English)