Wayilwan Language Resources and Programs…
Under the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust’s Aboriginal Languages Revival Program WWA is currently composing and recording 4 original songs in Wayilwan language to produce an album of songs in Wayilwan language (and English)!! The project is due to be completed in May 2025.
Resources are developed
using
Indigenist Standpoint Pedagogy (J.Phillips)
and
strengths based
and
place based pedagogical practice…
contextual to Warraan (Warren)
Wayilwan Country
During NSW Aboriginal Languages Week 20-27 October Warraan Widji Arts will record its first music video in Wayilwan language under the Living Arts and Culture Stories series developed by Outback Arts Inc and funded by the Australian Government’s
Indigenous Visual Arts and Industry Support & Indigenous Languages and Arts funding streams.
Funding through the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and NSW Department of Communities and Justice also supports this exciting project!
The following programs and activities are facilitated and developed by accredited WWA volunteers and are currently being delivered by WWA -
1. Translation of songs into Wayilwan language
2. First Nations’ Children/Youth Choir tutorage - Aboriginal children and youth who live in or near Warren have opportunity to learn songs in Wayilwan language as part of a choral program - currently funded NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust, NSW Department of Communities and Justice and in-kind and private financial donations.
3. Junior and Youth rock band tutorage - children and youth who demonstrate musical talent are tutored to perform the music pieces sung by the Warraan Widji Arts Children/Youth Choir.
4. Meaningful and culturally sensitive Wayilwan Language lessons under the Wayilwan Gunuya-li (Do with Energy Speak) program at Warren Preschool Kindergarten Inc. , St Mary’s and Warren Central School currently rely on grant funding acquired by WWA for WWA delivered Wayilwan language experiences.
5. Creation of new songs in Wayilwan language - currently funded by the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust
6. Creation of dances which include Wayilwan language and songs sung in language
7. Ongoing development of educational resources for local schools and beginner use including:
Ø Song books: beginners with accompanying songs
Ø Song books: advanced with accompanying songs
The following projects are pending access to funding:
* Recording an album of lullabies/early childhood songs
* Creation of new children’s stories (with pictures), poems and plays in Wayilwan language
* Development of a Wayilwan language dictionary and app
* Regular community language workshops
April 2024 school holiday Wayilwan Language workshop for community
FOR PURCHASE also -
Resources currently available for purchase include:
Ngiyani-garra Australian (We are Australian) in Wayilwan language and English (MP3 or WAV version) sung by the Warraan Widji Arts First Nations Children’s/Youth Choir.
Yanma-li (Lean on Me) in Wayilwan language and English (MP3 or WAV version) sung by the Warraan Widji Arts First Nations Children’s/Youth Choir.
Listen to the recordings by going to the What We Do Yanma-li - join up with hand page, and the Wayilwan Wagaa-y (singing) page.
The recording for Ngiyani-garra Australian took place May/June 2023. The recording for Yanma-li took place during the inaugural NSW Aboriginal Languages Week in October 2023. Recordings took place in pop-up studios at Warren Central School and St Mary’s Parish School in Warren, NSW, Australia.
Please contact us at info@warraanwidjiarts.org.au if you would like to purchase a copy of the recordings for $30 each.
All funds go toward providing access to creative and performing arts opportunities for youth.
Wayilwan language revival cannot be tokenistic. If you would like to help sustain Wayilwan language reawakening please click on the SUPPORT US button.