Wagaa-y (singing) in Wayilwan
WWA First Nations’ Wayilwan Children’s/Youth Choir
Warraan Widji Arts (WWA) delivers free singing and choral lessons to children and youth. Singing lessons grow confidence and support the development of the Warraan Widji Arts’ Wayilwan Children/Youth Choir. Choir members are aged between 8 and 18 years of age.
The WWA Wayilwan Choir supports the active participation of our children and youth in the language reawakening process.
The WWA First Nations Children’s/Youth Choir performed in public for the first time We Are Australian in Wayilwan language at the WWA Buraay-gal dhiiyaan bula maliyaa-gal (WWA youth family and friends’) concert 26 November 2022 at the Window on the Wetlands Centre, Warren, NSW!!
The WWA Choir’s first public performance outside of Warren was on 12 July 2023 at the For Our Elders: It’s In Our Hands art exhibition opening of First Nations’ artists, Outback Arts Gallery, Coonamble!!
We are so proud of our young mob in the Choir.
Kallie-Lea Daley, Zoey Daley, Jerome Shepherd and Charlie Gale (members of the Dreaming Drifters) are tutored by Graham Burns so they are equipped with the musicianship skills required to support the continuation of the Choir into the future.
If your organisation would like the WWA Choir to perform at your event please email us at info@warraanwidjiarts.org.au
Ngiyani-garra Australian
(We Be Australian)…
We are Australian, composed by Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton, was taught in Language by Aunty Beth Wright to Warren TAFE students in 2022.
The song encapsulates the sentiments of us local mob toward all ‘new Australians’. Despite the severe impacts of the invasion, we do not remain bitter, but aim to building the capacity for inclusiveness and a welcoming community on Wayilwan Country.
In Wayilwan there are two words for “we”. One is for two people (ngali), and one is for three or more people (ngiyani). We are Australian in Wayilwan language is translated below.
Click the button below the text to listen to the Warraan Widji Arts First Nations Children’s/Youth Choir sing We are Australian in Wayilwan and English.
Ngiyani-garra Australian
Ngiyani-garra magu
Ngiyani-garra dughaay
Dhagun-dji ngiyani yana-y ngurra-ga
Ngiyani-wan yarudha-y
Wagaaya-li magu
Ngadhu Ngindu Ngiyani
Australian
WWA First Nations choir members at the time of recording in June 2023:
Children: Breanna Boyd, Braithe Carberry-Riley, Jaxson Cobcroft, Zaide Daley, Cruz Darcy, Frankie Firman, Kallee-Ray Forbes, Kiara-Ann Forbes, Jalaki Griffiths, Olivia Hall, Harvey Leonard, Christopher Ley, Jarrod McLeod, Hannah O’Hara, Hayley O’Hara, Amarnii Riley, Shae-Marie Stewart, Grace Walker, Jack Walker, Isla Walters-Shields, Ryan Walters-Stewart, Ava Ward, Harlem Ward, Indie Wilde, Zavier Wilde, Amelia Williams, Isla Williams (Absent: Jayla Cobcroft)
Youth: Lucy Clark, Kara Forbes, Indi Gale, Jazz Monti, Ashanti Nelson, Summa Riley
Clapsticks: Jerome Shepherd
Producer: Graham Burns
If you would like to assist us in providing learning experiences and opportunities for our First Nations’ Wayilwan Choir please click on the below.
Cultural Awareness Note
A First Nations’ children’s/youth Wayilwan choir facilitates the repatriation of the Wayilwan language to our local people.
The cultural safety of WWA’s intellectual property is of utmost importance to us as it prevents further exploitation of our people and supports the wellbeing of our children and future generations.
Unfortunately, since the English invasion, non-Aboriginal owned and controlled institutions such as educational institutions and GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives, museums) have maintained control over First Nations’ intellectual and cultural property.
Local Aboriginal self-determination and control over the Wayilwan language reawakening process is important to strengthen our cultural identity. By following cultural protocols non-Aboriginal individuals and organisations can help us achieve these outcomes.
Rehearsing in the WWA Centre after school on Tuesdays- gamba ngindu (thank you) NSW Department of Communities and Justice for funding our Wayilwan Choir program