'Warami mittigar. Hello friend. We welcome you to Darug Country'
Hawkesbury Library Service will proudly host the launch of Cooee Mittigar, a new children's book that teaches about the magic of Aboriginal songlines on Saturday, 2 November from 2pm.
To be launched by the Hon Linda Burney MP, the event will held at in the garden area in front of the Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor.
Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon full of activities including craft, face painting and a storytime where Cooee Mittigar will be read. Meet author Jasmine Seymour and artist Leanne Mulgo Watson who have teamed up to release this beautiful children's book.
In Cooee Mittigar (meaning "Come here, Friend"), the reader is greeted by Mulgo the black swan who welcomes you to yana (walk) on Country and walks the reader along one of the Darug songlines: she shows us its path.
Journeying through the seasons, Mulgo describes the land, skyscape, birds, plants, animals and totems. It is a gentle guide about how Darug people read the seasons, knowing when it is time to hunt and time to rest. It is a beautiful exploration of what you might see along the songline as you walk through Nura (Darug Country).
With Darug language interspersed with English and an extensive glossary throughout, Cooee Mittigar presents an important tool for learning, told as a tender story with exquisite illustrations. It is Jasmine and Leanne's wish that, with this book, everyone will know that the Darug mob are still here and still strong.
Jasmine and Leanne are both Darug mob and are thrilled to keep their culture alive through books.
Jasmine said: "The Darug mob were the first in Sydney, and all school children deserve to know the true history of the place in which they live. This book gives a view into how it was, how it is and how it will always be to Darug people. Acknowledging and recognising our history is important for reconciliation. Our culture deserves to be championed by all people who live on Darug lands. We all belong to this beautiful country and I hope this book teaches young ones how to belong and feel at one with Country".
Jasmine Seymour is fast becoming renowned for her beautiful Darug stories, weaving the native language in with English text that makes Indigenous stories and words accessible to children and families. She has done so once again with this stunning creation, topped off by Leanne's beautiful artwork.
Cooee Mittigar is due for release on 1 November through Magabala Books
The free event will be the garden area in front of the Deerubbin Centre, Windsor, on Saturday, 2 November, 2pm followed by a book signing.
FREE – no bookings required.
