Significance of the animalThe salt-water crocodile is the largest living reptile and fiercest predator in the world. Indigenous people across the Top End of Australia have lived and hunted alongside crocodiles for thousands of years. Yirrikipayi (crocodile) is a significant animal to Tiwi people and culture. It’s one of many Tiwi dreamings or totems, which are inherited from the father, and with it come a set of responsibilities and a special dance - all taught and passed down from birth.

About the languageTiwi is an Australian language spoken by approximately 2000 Tiwi people, most of who reside on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin in the Northern Territory. According to the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger database, the state of the Tiwi language is vulnerable. Tiwi has evolved since European settlement, and there are now two variations of Tiwi spoken. Older speakers can speak Traditional or Hard Tiwi, which is also used in ceremonies, and the younger generation speak what is called Modern Tiwi. Tiwi is a stand alone language with no connection or relationship to languages on the mainland of Australia.

Yirrikipayi in Tiwi translatesas salt-water crocodile

D I D Y O U K N O W ?At the time of European settlement in 1788, over 250 languages with more than 700 dialects were

spoken across Australia.Today, only about 80 of those languages are

spoken, mainly by elders.Fewer than 20 Indigenous languages are currently

being learnt by Australian children.

C L A S S R O O M A C T I V I T I E SUsing the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia, can you find Tiwi country?

What other animals can you think of that we classify as ‘predators’?

Can you name some other famousfictional crocodiles?

How many languages are spoken by students in your classroom or at home?

Yirrikipayi Yirrikipayi

No Way Yirrikipayi!Yirrikipayi the crocodile lives on the Tiwi Islands and he’s hungry. He goes hunting, chasing animals in the sea and on land. What’s for dinner? Meet the animals and learn their Tiwi names in this delightful book for all ages. This book was produced by students from Milikapiti School over two writing and illustrating workshops facilitated by ILF ambassador Alison Lester and with the support of Tiwi Elders and assistant teachers. This project is part of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Community Literacy Projects.

About the Tiwi IslandsThe Tiwi Islands are made up of two large islands, Bathurst Island and Melville Island, and many smaller uninhabited islands. There are three main communities on the Tiwi Islands; Milikapiti, Pirlangimpi and Wurrumiyanga. Smaller communities include Paru, Wurankuwu (Ranku) and Pickertaramoor. Milikapiti Community is situated on the northern coast of Melville Island. The 500 people that live in the community speak Tiwi as their first language. The local school, with an enrolment of around 80 children, is built only metres from the sea and overlooks a bay, which provided much of the inspiration for the publishing project No Way Yirrikipayi!

By children from Milikapiti School, Melville Island,with Alison Lester

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Significance of the animalIn some outback areas of the wet tropical region of the Northern Territory, pigs (an introduced species of mammal) can be found thriving in bushland and scrub. The feral pigs cause considerable environmental damage by digging in the soil and alongside creeks. They also prey on native animals and eat native plants. In some places, especially national parks, Aboriginal rangers attempt to control the feral pig population in order to protect and preserve traditional lands and resources. Many of these feral pigs are hunted, by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It is possible to ‘rescue’ and domesticate feral piglets, especially those seperated from their mothers, as the story of Moli det bigibigi (Molly the pig), which is based on real-life events, shows.

About the languageKriol is spoken in Aboriginal communities across a large area of northern Australia, including most of the Katherine region, as well as the Kimberley region of Western Australia and into the Gulf country of Queensland. It is the most widely-spoken Aboriginal language in Australia today by an estimated 20,000 people. Kriol is a real, full and vibrant language with speakers able to express anything that can be said in other languages. Kriol has also been used to translate Shakespeare and the Bible. Kriol is a ‘new’ Aboriginal language with a special history, not an original traditional Aboriginal language. The roots of Kriol are in Aboriginal people’s contact history on cattle stations, missions and reserves, where speakers of different languages used particular ‘ways of talking’, for communicating together. Such ‘contact languages’ bridged across all the different language groups, including English. In some places, the contact language has become the language that everybody in the community speaks, so it isn’t just a bridge across languages any more. When contact languages become the first language of a whole generation, they are called ‘creoles’. Kriol, the language of the Moli det bigibigi story, is one kind of creole, the kind spoken in Binjari community. Kriol varies from place to place and speakers can usually tell where other Kriol speakers come from, because of their accent or variation in some words.

BigibigiBigibigi in the Kriol translates as pig

Bigibigi

D I D Y O U K N O W ?At the time of European settlement in 1788, over 250 languages with more than 700 dialects were

spoken across Australia.Today, only about 80 of those languages are

spoken, mainly by elders.Fewer than 20 Indigenous languages are currently

being learnt by Australian children

C L A S S R O O M A C T I V I T I E SUsing the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia,

can you find where Binjari community is?What other animals can you think of that we

classify as “feral”?Can you name some other famous fictional pigs?How many languages are spoken by students in

your classroom or at home?

Moli det bigibigi (Molly the pig)Meet Moli the pig, watch her delightful antics and learn some words in Kriol from this lively book that kids will love. In the community where she lives, Moli is much-loved, but what she loves most is eating Weet Bix! This children’s picture book, based on real events, has been written in Kriol and English by Karen Manbulloo from the Binjari community near Katherine in the Northern Territory. It is one of nine books for children produced in a series of writing and illustrating workshops facilitated by linguist Denise Angelo, Julie Haysom and ILF staff with the support of the Binjari community and elders. Moli det bigibigi has been published as an ILF Community Literacy Project, written and illustrated by the Binjari women and gifted to Kriol-speaking communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

About the Binjari communityBinjari is about 20 kilometres (or 15 minutes drive by car) south-west of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The community is on land administered by the Binjari Community Aboriginal Corporation. Kriol is the first and dominant language spoken by Binjari community members. It is also the dominant language spoken in ten other communities in and around the Katherine region. The original inhabitants of this region were the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman people, and the area around what is now the town of Katherine was an important meeting place. Today it is still a place where Aboriginal people – some from as far away as the Tanami Desert – come together.

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ola Binjari Buk mob 2017 bin drowim ola pitja

Lungkura

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Maranydjalk

Bigibigi

Significance of the animalMaranydjalk is the generic term for all stingrays and sharks with each species having their own specific name.

All Yolŋu people belong to one of two all-inclusive groups, or moieties, called Dhuwa and Yirritja. Everything in the Yolŋu universe – spirit beings, people, plant and animal species, clan groups and all areas of land and water are either Dhuwa or Yirritja.

About the languageThe Yolŋu Matha language group comprises twelve clan languages, each with its own Yolŋu name. Yolŋu literally means ‘person’ and matha means tongue or language. The Yolŋu Matha clan languages are known by the word for ‘here’ or ‘this’ in each language. These clan languages are the main languages spoken by Yolŋu people and English is a second (or third or fourth) language for most Yolŋu children. The tailed ‘ŋ’ is a common sound in Yolŋu Matha and is pronounced ‘ng’ as in ‘song’. I Saw, We Saw is written in English and Dhaŋu, a Yolŋu Matha clan language.

MaranydjalkMaranydjalk in Yolŋu Matha

translates as stingray

D I D Y O U K N O W ?At the time of European settlement in 1788, over 250 languages with more than 700 dialects were

spoken across Australia.

Today, only about 80 of those languages are spoken, mainly by elders.

Fewer than 20 Indigenous languages are currently being learnt by Australian children

C L A S S R O O M A C T I V I T I E SUsing the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia, can you find Yolŋu country?

Can you name some other famousfictional stingrays?

How many languages are spoken by students in your classroom or at home?

Maranydjalk

I Saw We SawLife for the Yolŋu students who live near or around Nhulunbuy, a small town in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, revolves around the sea, whether it be hunting, fishing or playing. There’s always something to see and do and this has been the inspiration for these stunningly illustrated books. The spreads follow the theme of ‘I saw...we saw...’ but there’s plenty more to see on each page, as readers will discover.

Over a series of workshops, Yolŋu students from Nhulunbuy Primary School wrote the story for I Saw, We Saw with the help of ILF ambassador Ann James and Ann Haddon. The students also worked on a version of the story with Elders of their community titled, Nhä Nhunu Nhäŋal? This story is written entirely in Dhaŋu, a Dhuwa language of the Yolŋu Matha language group. Both books were published as an ILF Community Literacy Project and gifted to Yolŋu speaking communities.

About Yolŋu CountryYolŋu are the Indigenous people of north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. With clan estates that range across 97,000 square kilometres, from Port Roper on the Gulf of Carpentaria around the coast to the East Alligator River adjoining Kakadu National Park, Yolŋu are one of the largest Indigenous groups in Australia. Yolŋu people have kinship relationships to the land and sea. They consider themselves as part of the country, often saying that they “come from the country” or that they “are the country”.

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Significance of the animalThe blue-tongued lizard goes by a few names: blue-tongued skink, blue-tongue or simply ‘bluey’. It’s no surprise that the main thing it is known for is its large blue tongue, which is sometimes poked out to ward off potential enemies. Blue-tongued lizards are quite shy. And they also move more slowly than other lizards due to their short legs. This makes them relatively easy catching for anyone wanting an instant feed in the Great Sandy Desert. Although blue-tongues thrive in open tussocky country, at night they tend to shelter in burrows or under logs and large rocks. Blue-tongues feature in some traditional Walmajarri stories. They are often associated with fire, and in some tales are depicted as tricksters or even sorcerers.

About the languageWalmajarri is an Australian language primarily spoken by people living in or on the edges of the Great Sandy Desert and parts of the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. There are approximately 300 speakers of Walmajarri spread across communities such as Junjuwa (Fitzroy Crossing), Yakanarra, Kadjina, Bayulu, Wangkajungka (Christmas Creek), Looma, Djugerari (Cherrabun), Yungngora, Millijidee, Mukan, Mindibungu (Bililuna) and Ngumpan.

Lungkura in Walmajarri translatesas blue-tongued lizard

D I D Y O U K N O W ?At the time of European settlement in 1788, over 250 languages with more than 700 dialects were

spoken across Australia.Today, only about 80 of those languages are

spoken, mainly by elders.Fewer than 20 Indigenous languages are currently

being learnt by Australian children

C L A S S R O O M A C T I V I T I E SUsing the AIATSIS Map of

Indigenous Australia, can you find Walmajarri country?

What other animals can you think of that move slowly?

Can you name some other famous fictional lizards?

How many languages are spoken by students in your classroom or at home?

Lungkura Lungkura

Yakanarra Song BookThis entrancing book captures what life is like for kids living in the remote Western Australian region. Two Elders, Mary Purnjurr Vanbee and Jessie Wamarla Moora, worked with the community to reproduce songs in Walmajarri. As teachers themselves, they worked with other people from Yakanarra, Kulkarriya and Wulungarra community schools during the 1980s and 1990s to encourage children to speak Walmajarri.Ten of the songs are in Walmajarri, the main language spoken in Yakanarra. The four songs in English were created by students at Yakanarra Community School in workshops with our ambassador Alison Lester and musician Chris Aitken. Students from Yakanarra Community School also produced the beautiful illustrations.

About the Walmajarri countryThe traditional lands of the Walmajarri people are the Great Sandy Desert, which is Australia’s second largest desert (about 284,993 square kilometres). To the south lies the Gibson Desert, while to the east is the Tanami Desert. These days, not many people live in the Great Sandy Desert. After this vast arid region was colonised by European settlers, many Walmajarri moved onto cattle stations or church-run missions in the East Kimberley to the north. This has meant that today people who speak the Walmajarrilanguage tend to be spread over a wide area.

Lungkura

Yirrik

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Significance of the animalThe possum is a small nocturnal mammal. In South Australia, there are five species of possum: common brushtail, common ringtail, western pygmy, eastern pygmy and little pygmy. The native habitat for possums is tall gum or box trees. In the past, possums were a traditional food for the Arabana people, who climbed the trees to take the possums from their hollows, and also killed possums on the ground with boomerangs and hunting sticks. The possum pelts were crafted into clothes so the Arabana people could stay warm during the cold inland winters. Over the years many native possum habitats have been reduced in size due to farming, urbanization and climate change, and in some places, like Arabana country, there are no possums anymore.

About the languageTraditionally associated with the western side of Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) region, Arabana is considered a Lakes language and shares features with other Lakes languages. With only a handful of native speakers, the language is at risk and much work is being done to document and revive the language. During the last three years, numerous language learning workshops have been held in Port Augusta and Adelaide. A Language Camp was held on country in 2018 with many short films made that recorded the stories, language and places visited. Alongside our publication Wamparla Apira, one children’s book has been published with several more in the stages of being developed.

Wamparla is the Arabana word for possum

D I D Y O U K N O W ?At the time of European settlement in 1788, over 250 languages with more than 700 dialects were

spoken across Australia.Today, only about 80 of those languages are

spoken, mainly by elders.Fewer than 20 Indigenous languages are currently

being learnt by Australian children

C L A S S R O O M A C T I V I T I E SUsing the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous

Australia, can you find Arabana country?What other animals can you think of that

we use to make clothing?Can you name some other famous

fictional possums?How many languages are spoken by

students in your classroom or at home?

WamparlaWamparla

Wamparla Apira (Possums and Tall Trees)This story tells of the time when the Arabana people hunted possums for food and clothing. Sometimes they climbed very tall trees to take the possums from their hollows. But in some places the possums were sacred and could not be killed. This story is retold in Arabana and English by Elder Thanthi Syd Strangways. The beautiful illustrations are by Kathy Arbon. The book is an ILF Community Literacy Project gifted to Arabana people and families to share and enjoy.

About Arabana countryArabana country lies in the Kati Thanda (Western Lake Eyre) region in the central north of South Australia. The Arabana people hold native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres of this country, which includes the towns of Marree in the south-east and Oodnadatta in the north-west, as well as Lake Eyre and the Wabma Kadarbu Monnd Springs Conservation Park. The Arabana Aboriginal Corporation administers these lands and waters on behalf of the Arabana people. These days, most Arabana people live off-country in widespread urban centres like Adelaide, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Alice Springs and Darwin, although many visit as often as possible.

An Arabana story by Thanthi Syd Strangways

Illustrated by Kathy Arbon

Wamparla ApiraPossums and Tall Trees¯

Lungkura

Yirrik

ipayi

Wampa

rla

Maranydjalk

Bigibigi