Wayilwan Gunuya-li
Children grow a sense of belonging, a sense of place & confidence in communicating in Wayilwan Language.
Wayilwan Gunuya-li strengthens cultural identity and critical thinking skills
Vocabulary and syntax are learned through songs, pictures, games and dance
Wayilwan Gunuya-li (do with energy speak) is an accredited community based language program developed and delivered by Warraan Widji Arts in consultation with local Elders and the Warren Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG). Lessons are currently delivered at Warren Preschool Kindergarten Inc, and pending funding, Warren Central School and St Mary’s Parish School, Warren.
Wayilwan Gunuya-li (do with energy speak) is informed by place based and strengths based pedagogical approaches to learning. It uses Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and -
· the Strong and Smart (Sarra, 2011) approach and
· Indigenous Standpoint Pedagogy (ISP) (Phillips, 2019)
The program is contextual to local (Warren) mob, Wayilwan Country and stories. The program can be used as a scaffold for program development for use in other communities on Wayilwan Country.
The program uses the Accelerated Second Language Acquisition (ASLA) model. Images/pictures, games, art, stories and singing are the predominant means to teach vocabulary and language concepts.
Each unit’s duration is 10 weeks (one or two 20-40 min lessons/week for preschoolers and students in Stage 1 at school) and comes with a resource pack.
The themes introduced in preschool and Stage 1 are reintroduced in each Stage (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). Vocabulary and concepts are revisited purposefully before moving on to explore them more deeply while increasing the vocabulary around the themes.
Unit 1 Where Am I? Connections to Wayilwan Country - Nation Totems Wayilwan Nguramba-ga (On Wayilwan Country/Homeland), the original song, is introduced. Early childhood songs assist learning. Games, song and dance introduce The Burraalga (Brolga) Song (Aunty Beth Wright). Wayilwan nation totems are learned in Wayilwan and English.
Unit 2 Where Am I? Connection to Wayilwan Country - Nation animals grows vocabulary around the land, waterways and sky animals of the Wayilwan Nation. The children learn about the behavioural characteristics of Wayilwan animals and their significance to the Wayilwan ancestors. Children begin to develop an understanding of Wayilwan language syntax through learning The Buraalga (Brolga) Song. The children learn the chorus and shout sections of the song Wayilwan Nguramba-ga The unit strengthens a strong sense of identity, particularly for First Nations children.
Unit 3 Where Am I? Connection to Wayilwan Country - Nation Songlines - Gunimara (mother earth) which supports the sustainability of life for the ancestors is explored - marshes, rivers, grasses, earth. Natural fibres/material is used to make baskets/objects used by the ancestors (eg weaving). On Country experiences and cultural knowledge holders are important in this unit. Connections between language and Wayilwan Country are learned.
Unit 4 Where Am I? Connection to Wayilwan Country - Nation Values provides a strong foundation to grow understanding of what makes Wayilwan Country particularly unique and the values of our Wayilwan ancestors which allowed them to live sustainably for thousands of years. The unit is a segue to family connections and mob. Related vocabulary is introduced. Wayilwan Nguramba-ga verses are learned. Permissions have been gained to show pictures of local Elders. A sense of community is developed. Confidence in communicating in Wayilwan Language is strengthened.
Unit 5 Connection to Dhiyaan (Family) - Introduces the song Yanma-li (Lean on Me)
Unit 6 Connection to Dhiyaan (Family) - Kinship - Wayilwan numbers are introduced in the context of family connections.
Unit 7 Connection to Community - Warraan
Wayilwan Gunuya-li resource packs come with:
· MP3/.WAV zip file of a song in Wayilwan language sung by the Warraan Widji Arts First Nations’ Youth Choir, backed by the First Nations youth rock band The Dreaming Drifters.
· Direct translations
· English speak translations
· Activity sheets/notes which increase cultural capability of users
· Words to all songs in Wayilwan and English
· Contextual explanations of the translation and protocols for its use personal, social and public use.
A mini dictionary
Wayilwan Gunuya-li
Resource Packs
Wayilwan Gunuya-li language resource prices are determined by how the resource is shared with respect to language and cultural competencies.
Beginner/Personal Use (individual interest/hobby): $20
Intermediate/Social Use (family/friends): $40.00
Advanced/Community/Public Use – community/business/government institutions or organisations who engage accredited (approved by the community’s local Aboriginal organisations) Wayilwan language tutors/teachers to teach Wayilwan language in community/educational settings: $60.00
5-10 copies for Community/Education/Public use $300.00
11-30 copies for Community/Education/Public use $500.00
Gamba ngindu (thank you) for your support!
Baluwaa (with respect)
The Warraan Widji Arts language team :)