The first 4 Covid 19 Videos in Yolngu Matha

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1. Introduction to coronavirus

In this program, Richard Trudgen and Nikunu Yunupingu discuss coronavirus. Yolŋu hear the virus is coming to their communities but they’re not sure what it’s about. These programs will share information about the Coronavirus as it’s updated, including its spread and how to manage it. This podcast starts with the history and transmission of the virus.

 

2. How to stop it spreading

In this program, we introduce the names: coronavirus and COVID-19. Nikunu Yunupingu asks if this is a lifelong sickness (this is one of the points of confusion that many Yolŋu have). We explain that it’s only a short sickness, of about two weeks. Throughout this time people might be infectious even if they only get a mild sickness. If they’re not sure they should self-isolate for two weeks and it’s explained this becomes necessary as a strategy to stop the virus moving through communities.

 

3. Our Body Helper

In this program, the question is asked, “what happens after 2 weeks?” Richard Trudgen shares information about the immune system and white blood cells. This information is built on the Yolŋu worldview around their zoological knowledge. This is necessary so that people can see clearly how the immune system works and also how immunisation works.


4. What is Immunisation?

In this program we make it clear that there is no immunisation for coronavirus yet, and it could take two years for it to be produced and available. However, doctors might ask people in community to have the standard flu injection so their body is not fighting this season’s flu and the coronavirus at the same time.

Click here for our full COVID-19 playlist.

 

Other education programs in Yolŋu Matha are available on the Why Warriors YouTube channel or via the Yolŋu Matha learning platform, www.djambatjmarram.com.
These COVID-19 resources are produced by Nikunu Yunupingu and Richard Trudgen.
Thank-you to © Helix Animation 2020 for the animations provided. All rights reserved.
Medical images in videos taken from the book, Human Body, published by © Time Life Inc. 1992.

About Richard Trudgen

Richard was born on Wiradjuri country. His conception Spirit Well site was near the top of Gaanha-bula (two shoulders) on Mount Canobolas, close to the city of Orange in NSW. He grew up along the Belubula River (stony river or big lagoon), near the small town of Canowindra (home or camping place), a key Wiradjuri traditional homeland. In his late teens, he was a lead guitarist in a rock band with two of his brothers and two friends called the South Side Five. He trained as a fitter and turner. He arrived in Arnhem Land in the NT in 1973 to volunteer for 12 months. He was compelled to learn Yolngu Matha and remained to work alongside some of the most traditional First Nation Australians, the Yolngu People. Trained as a community worker-educator, he speaks Djambarrpuyŋu to a deep legal, economic, and medical level. He has now collaborated with Yolŋu people for over 45 years. He was the CEO of Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) for 10 years, during which he developed the Discovery Education methodology with Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM and also established Yolŋu Radio in 2003. He was asked by the Yolngu elders to write "Why Warriors Lie Down and Die" and to train mainstream Balanda to understand Yolngu law and culture. He ran ‘Bridging the Gap’ seminars and corporate workshops across Australia, focusing on cultural competency and cross-cultural communication. He is currently the CEO of Why Warriors Pty Ltd, a community development social enterprise working with Yolngu people. He spends his days writing, producing podcasts, building an online learning centre for Yolngu, creating videos, developing online cross-cultural training materials, running workshops for Yolngu and Balanda, and working with Yolngu to develop family businesses.

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