Life-changing education: it’s here!
In mid 2017 we gained funding from the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet to create new educational material for Yolngu. We’ve wanted to create resources like this for a long time – and it’s finally here!
Djambatjmarram is a web portal aimed at giving Yolngu access to information they desperately need in a language they can understand. For many Yolngu English is a second or third language, yet it’s how the majority of education and information is delivered. The site is in both English and Yolngu Matha, meaning it’s accessible for those who speak either language, plus is a bilingual learning tool.
It includes videos, podcasts, and a dictionary of difficult words – all designed using Indigenous worldview and driven by questions asked by many Yolngu rather than a set agenda or curriculum that’s been imposed from the outside. Real community driven education that’s accessible and understandable. This means Yolngu can learn the deeper story about important topics such as health and economics, allowing them to come up with their own solutions and be in the driver’s seat of their own lives – whether it’s making informed decisions about their health or discovering opportunities to get into business.
The website has only been active for a few weeks and we’re proud to show it to you in its early stages. It’s being updated every day and it’s a continual process of growing so it becomes an extensive and invaluable resource for Yolngu communities.
It’s such a great tool that will have a big impact on the day-to-day lives and health of Yolngu – please have a look and share the good news.
Dr. Jonah Tisam •
Interesting reading. The work done by Richard is invaluable to the Yulngu people and the wider first nation people of Australia.
Jonah