Language programs in Geraldton

The Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language program offers a variety of Indigenous language classes and workshops. These include:

• Language Awareness Community Workshops on the languages of the Murchison-Gascoyne Regions (including Badimaya, Malgana, Nhanda, Wajarri and Yinggarda).
• Community Wajarri Language Classes (held on Saturday mornings at the Bundiyarra complex)
• The Master and Apprentice Language Teaching Model; where younger people (apprentices) learn to speak language with support from older speakers (masters)
• Community Language Nests focusing on the immersion of children between 0 - 5 in their local language

Bundiyarra Irra Wangga also has a range of educational material available, including books, posters, flashcards and the recently completed Wajarri Dictionary.

Irra Wangga strives to preserve, maintain and promote the languages of the Murchison-Gascoyne regions of Western Australia, which are becoming increasingly threatened and endangered.

The language program is currently looking for sponsors to help with the delivery of language related activities that assist the whole community to grow in understanding, pride and the learning of Aboriginal languages.

If you are interested in sponsoring any of the language program’s activities or events, please contact Jennifer Kniveton, Language Program Coordinator, on (08) 9920 7900.

For more information on any of these programs, or to purchase educational materials, please contact Irra Wangga directly on (08) 9920 7950.

 

YMAC is a proud supporter of the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga language program

Native Title Stories: Victor Mourambine

Watch Yamatji committee member Victor Mourambine reflect on his experiences of native title in Austalia.




This is the fourth in a series of interviews with our committee and board members, in which they share their stories of country and culture. See previous interviews with Ben Roberts, Susan Oakley, and Diane Stewart. 

Wajarri dictionary launch in Geraldton

On Tuesday, 12 April the Irra-Wangga Geraldton Language Program will launch a Wajarri Dictionary at an event in Geraldton. The dictionary will be published through Irra-Wangga with funding from the Commonwealth Government's Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records Program, and is largely the work of linguist Doreen Mackman. The dictionary will be for sale through Irra-Wangga at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Corporation.

The launch of the dictionary is open to the public. It begins at 6:30pm on the Geraldton foreshore near the Dome cafe. There will be speeches, a performance by the Mayu performers and a free screening of the 1984 film "Fringe Dwellers".

YMAC congratulates all those involved in this significant achievement. Language is an important part of culture and this dictionary is a great way to make sure that Wajarri culture is passed down through the generations.




Wajarri Yamatji country

 

Reaching for the Stars: Wajarri story on SBS!

At 6pm tonight 'Living Black' on SBS will feature a story on the Pia community school in Wajarri country and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP).

Last year, the Wajarri people signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the construction of the ASKAP project. The agreement had a particular focus on education and training opportunities for the Pia Aboriginal community school, just 30 kms from the telescope construction site.

Happy viewing!

Update: watch it here:

http://player.sbs.com.au/naca/#/naca/living_black/Latest/playlist/Reaching-for-the-Stars/

The Wajarri People today celebrated the conclusion of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) for the construction of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder telescope (ASKAP)

The agreement was announced at Parliament House by the Wajarri People, their representativesYMAC, the Hon Christian Porter MLA, the Hon Brendan Grylls MLA, the Hon Troy Buswell MLA, and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The Wajarri People have approximately 2000-3000 community members and one of the largest native title claims in Australia. Wajarri country includes the area chosen for the Australian Square including the area chosen for the ASKAP telescope. The agreement area covers approximately 130 square kilometres of land, located 175 kilometres west of Meekatharra. 

The agreement provides financial and non-financial benefits and ensures the cultural heritage of the Wajarri People is protected. Also, with a focus on Pia Aboriginal Community (just 30kms from the proposed SKA site), the agreement also included education opportunities, internet access and cadetships and mentoring for Wajarri kids.

Anthony Dann, Wajarri Traditional Owner said, “The myth that native title holds up development is false; this agreement was completed in record time and the future is looking bright. I look forward to the prospects that education, employment and training opportunities can bring to our community. It’s an exciting time for Wajarri People, the Mid-West and Australia that such a major development will be happening in our country.”

Image: Wajarri Representative, Anthony Dann. 

Media coverage:
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/traditional-aborigines-shoot-for-the-stars-20091126-jugy.html

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/sci-tech/native-title-claimants-support-galaxy-quest-20091127-jvlw.html