In collaboration with the Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u Centre, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) has published four bilingual children’s books by local women in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. The books aim to preserve their First Nations Languages, in addition to providing insight into remote Community life.
Dr Gillian Howell from the University of Melbourne, who helped compose songs, says, ‘Working with the Baya Gawiy educators to turn their stories into songs is such a joy and a privilege! ‘Mayarda’ was one of the first songs we wrote together. The Baya Gawiy team have a saying, that the more you tell a story, the stronger the story becomes. Turning songs into books and books into songs is one of the ways that these women tell and retell their many stories, keeping Language and cultural knowledge strong for future generations.’
