A team of educators at Cable Beach Primary School in Broome have written a children’s picture book in Yawuru, which they hope will help preserve the Indigenous language and culture for generations to come.
Country Tells Us When was created by the educators Tsheena Cooper, Dalisa Pigram-Ross and Mary Dann, along with Sheree Ford.
The educators wanted to create a resource for children to help them learn about, and connect to, the Yawuru cultural knowledge on their doorstep.
Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, the book teaches readers about the Yawuru seasons and how Country demonstrates their changes.
It features artwork created using lino-block printing techniques that showcase the distinctive colours of the Kimberley and the seasonal changes.
Ms Pigram-Ross, the Yawuru language teacher at the school, said the book was a fantastic teaching resource.
“I feel very proud to have been a part of the language and cultural content part of this little book because finally I can say I have been part of a team of people that made that happen,” Ms Pigram-Ross said.
Principal of Cable Beach Primary School, Darren Simpson said the school community was proud of the book.
“We are really excited for Tsheena, Dalisa, Sheree, Mary and our entire school community,” Mr Simpson said.
“The book is just gorgeous and a wonderful document of the great work our team does to support our Yawuru culture at the school.”
Country Tells Us When features a QR code on the back cover to allow people to listen to the bilingual book being read in Yawuru and English.
It has also been translated into the Karajarri and Mangala languages, allowing the story to be shared with surrounding communities.
