Kala is a beautiful new children's book written and illustrated by eight members from Birdiya Waangkiny Elders Group in Bunbury, Western Australia. The authors and illustrators include Charmaine Councillor, Roslyn Khan, Gloria Dann, Phyllis Bennell, Teryle Collard, Sandra Nebro, Joanne Ugle and Marjorie Ugle.
Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), this book celebrates Noongar language and Country. It was created during weekly language workshops where members gather to share knowledge, learn, heal and build language resources for future generations.
Charmaine Councillor who is the founder and CEO of Wardandi Miya-k Kaadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation, the language hub where the book was created says, "My language journey began in 1999, teaching for many years. My dream is to see the Noongar language of land grow in Wardandi Country."
ILF Regional Program Co-ordinator, Josie Lardy organised for local artist Pauline Bonney Designs, to facilitate an illustration workshop in Bunbury. The stunning artworks created not only became the illustrations in this children's book but were also exhibited at a local gallery.
One of the contributors Joanne Ugle says, "I love our native wildlife and I have always enjoyed art. It was a lot of fun to be part of this project. I think it's important for us to learn our language to reconnect with our culture."
Gloria Dann, known to her family as Nora says, "I have taught Noongar language for over 40 years as a Noongar language teacher. My parents are both from the wheat-belt of Noongar Country. I have connection to Wardandi Country through my mother's family. I found language has connected me to my Country and my people."
Kala gives young readers the opportunity to learn the Noongar and English names for 11 colours, alongside the names of animals and plants. The book includes a pronunciation guide and a QR code that connects to audio readings by the Elders.
Charmaine also reflects on the impact this book will have on her Community, and potentially other Noongar speaking Communities and says, "I can also see the impact on the Elders. We have one Elder that hadn't had any language growing up and was forbidden to speak language, and she expressed how beautiful that she can speak her language again."
"She said how it has helped her to become a Noongar woman, know her Noongar language, and it connects her to her Country. And she felt empowered through this."
This book also marks a significant milestone as the ILF's first publication in Noongar, a First Language spoken across the south-west of Western Australia.
Book details: Kala written and illustrated by Birdiya Waangkiny Elders Group Bunbury. ISBN: 9781923179400; rrp: $14.99. Boardbook. Available online now at ILF Shop https://shop.ilf.org.au/ and where all good books are sold.
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About us:
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. They are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books,resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.
In 2024 the ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children's or young adult literature.
