Educators need to be aware of any protocols their local Aboriginal community may have in regards to the sharing of First Nation languages in their classroom.
Here are some books that we recommend using to share the diversity of First Nation languages. We recommend using this in conjunction with the AIATSIS lands map.
This bilingual edition - in Mangala and English introduces non-Indigenous Australians to one of the five languages spoken at Bidyadanga (La Grange). The illustrations by and photographs of the students from La Grange KindiLink and Remote Community School reveal the joy the students felt in making this board book. It's a bright, beautiful and fun board book that is perfect for the youngest readers to learn the names of various parts of their body in their home language.
Karrkin features line drawings and gorgeous photographs, each with arrows pointing to the part of the body being referred to in the text. Young readers will delight in saying the name in Mangala and in English while pointing to the relevant part of the body in the book and on their own body. The book was created at an ILF workshop at Bidyadanga facilitated by ILF ambassador Alison Lester and Jane Godwin.
Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community (La Grange) is located on the Kimberley coast in Western Australia, 1,590 kilometres north of Perth and 180 kilometres south of Broome. Bidyadanga is the largest remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia, with a population of approximately 750 residents.
Warami mittigar. Hello friend.
We welcome you to Darug Country.’
Cooee Mittigar, meaning Come Here Friend, is an invitation to yana (walk), on Darug Country. In this stunning picture book, Darug creators Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Mulgo Watson tell a story on Darug Songlines, introducing children and adults-alike to Darug Nura (Country) and language.
Greeted by Mulgo, the black swan, readers are welcomed to Nura. Journeying through the seasons, Mulgo describes the land, skyscape, birds, animals and totems. It is a gentle guide to how Darug people read the seasons, knowing when it is time to hunt and time to rest. It is also an appeal to remember, off ering new ways of seeing and reading the lands of the surrounding Sydney region.
With Darug language interspersed with English and an extensive glossary throughout, Cooee Mittigar presents an important tool for learning, told as a tender story with exquisite illustrations. It is Jasmine and Leanne’s wish that with this book, everyone will know that the Darug mob are still here and still strong.
Cooee mittigar. Tread softly on our lands.
Know that this dreaming was here. Is still here.
Will be forever.
Gorgeous illustrations combine with a delightful bush narrative featuring Australian animals and bush tucker. A surprising twist at the end. The story is told in such a way as to delight young children through repetitive phrases and humour. It informs about the culture of contemporary Indigenous Australians. Some Alyawarr words for bush tucker and animals are listed on the inner back cover. Alyawarr is spoken in the Northern Territory and in far west Queensland.
The sixth title in Alison Lester s bestselling Clive Eats Alligators series, featuring Ernie, who goes to Arnhem Land and writes to his friends about his experiences.
When Ernie goes to live in an Aboriginal community in northern Australia, the people, climate, plants and animals are all new to him. Here are his letters to Clive, Nicky, Rosie, Frank, Tessa and Celeste, describing the life he discovers with his new friends in their wild and beautiful land.
Alison Lester visited Arnhem Land in 1996 and 1997 as a guest of the Gunbalanya Community School with her friend and fellow author Liz Honey. Together they worked with staff and students of the school to produce poems, plays, puppets and paintings. This book is based on a story the upper Primary students made about their lives, called We Love Gunbalanya . Arnhem Land is owned by the Aboriginal people who have lived there for more than 50,000 years. There are many different tribes and language groups throughout Arnhem Land, but at Gunbalanya, where this book is set, the main language spoken is Kunwinjku.
Cunning Crow - Gregg Dreise
Way back, before once-upon-a-time, there was the Dreamtime when all the birds were white. One of those white birds was a crow called Waan.
One day a big storm came through and a magnificent rainbow appeared. When the birds passed through the rainbow, one by one, their feathers took on its beautiful colours.
Waan flew through the rainbow too and his feathers became a beautiful red and orange. But Waan was jealous of the other birds. He wanted to be more beautifully coloured than anyone. So Waan hatched a cunning plan.
But things did not go the way Waan wanted...
Look Learn Sing Dance - Trish & Noel Butler
Noel and Trish Butler share stories and songs through their knowledge of Country to create a better understanding of all creatures in our environment. This helps us all to embrace our responsibility to put a greater value on the importance of looking after Country, the land we stand on, our home.
NGAMA CD by Sharron “Mirii” Bell
This CD is a wonderful mixture of songs created for children, families and educators. A heartfelt album filled with love and deep respect. NGAMA in Wiradjuri language means Mother. In honour of her Mother, Sharron sings in Wiradjuri language sharing old and new memories.
Throughout the album you will see and hear messages that connect to Sharron’s mother, to whom this CD is dedicated. Can you find the little green tree frog? Mummas favourite little creature. Can you hear him sing? Can you hear the shakers? The Cootamundra wattle seed picked from wattle trees at Coota, where Mum was born and raised. Listen to the river and Mother Earth's creatures as we place our hand upon our heart, let us pay respects to the Sovereign people and the land North, South, East and West.
Stomp and dance as we listen to some old but new songs as they are given new life in language.
The CD booklet contains words and translations. Connect to our country, our waterways, our animals and all living things as we continually honour our Mother Earth, and especially, our Mothers.
Sharron mirii Bell is a proud Wiradjuri Gamilaraay woman who shares her knowledge and perspectives with young children, parents and educators through her music, dance, story and art. Sharron is passion driven by her life experiences which enables her to share her unique Culture, promoting and providing better educational outcomes for all.
Yalaynha Yuluwirri ‘Following the Rainbow’ Songs by Milan Dhiiyaan
This CD was created with the aim of teaching children some of our positive Aboriginal cultural values through song. The songs in this CD teach about sharing, taking care of each other, loving one another, not harming others, taking care of mother earth, being strong and knowing our culture.
Most of our songs have accompanying hand actions/choreography which you cannot see on a CD. A DVD (or video files) showcasing our choreography will soon be available. You can also view some songs on our YouTube channel: Milan Dhiiyaan.
Aboriginal Languages used on this CD
The songs on this CD have been composed and written by Laurance & Fleur Magick Dennis (Milan Dhiiyaan). The languages included in the songs are Gamilaraay, Yuwalaraay, Wayilwan/Ngemba/Ngiyaampaa & Wiradjuri languages.
All music, melodies and rhythms are composed by Laurance & Fleur Magick Dennis except for the melody of ‘Twinkle Little Star’ which is used for ‘Guuyali Giralaa’ and the melody of ‘B.I.N.G.O’ which is used for ‘Marayn’. All other melodies are original compositions. All lyrics and stories are the original works of Laurance & Fleur Magick Dennis.
Aboriginal Cultural Meditation CD - Volume 1 By Millmullian (Laurance Magick Dennis)
Experience relaxation, mindfulness, peace and connection with our Aboriginal Cultural Meditation CD as you are guided through a meditation ceremony by Millmullian (Laurance Magick Dennis).
Includes 2 tracks:
1. Winhangadurinya (23:51)
2. Barrawanha Maliyanbiyaay (18:40)
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