wangka maya pilbara aboriginal language...

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1 Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre PO Box 2736, South Hedland WA 6722. Phone (08) 91722344 fax: (08) 91722355 ABN 40151070124 RE: Introductions for Yinhawangka Language Project Hello, My name is Jugari (Peter) Hill. I have been given the privilege to act as a linguist to help you develop the Yinhawangka Language Program for the future. My background is in linguistics and helping with Aboriginal language preservation, revitalisation and training. I know that a lot of effort has been put into bringing this programme into being and I am glad to be working on the Gurruma and Yinhawangka traditional lands. I recently finished a university thesis on Gurrama and was lucky to work with an elder in Onslow on this language. Before this, I lived in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory, where I was taught by the local people to speak some of their traditional language - Arrernte. I started working at Wangka Maya in 2011 and have been helping local people to record and document some of their endangered Pilbara languages (of which Yinhawangka is one) and also helping younger people to reclaim, learn and use their languages. As a Wangka Maya linguist I have seen lots of evidence of people’s recordings and contributions to the maintenance and preservation of their languages, as well as the heritage benefits gained from many different people's involvement. One of the main questions that I have been getting from talking with members is their request to access family language material held by Wangka Maya. This can be arranged through the admin team at Wangka Maya in South Hedland. There is a form, however, that people will need to fill out. Some of the recordings held at Wangka Maya include several different family speakers, so we will need to get permission from everyone involved with that recording in order to release this material. In the interim I will see if YAC can arrange to have the Wangka Maya request for materials form posted on the Yinhawangka website. As part of my work on the Yinhawangka dictionary I will be contacting those speakers and family members whose materials we will use for the dictionary development. Please note that a significant number of these speakers are now deceased; I apologise for this. Currently, this includes the following people/families:

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Page 1: Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centreyinhawangka.com.au/wp-content/uploads/yinhawangka... · 2018. 8. 16. · 1 Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre PO Box 2736,

1

Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre

PO Box 2736, South Hedland WA 6722.

Phone (08) 91722344 fax: (08) 91722355

ABN 40151070124

RE: Introductions for Yinhawangka Language Project

Hello, My name is Jugari (Peter) Hill. I have been given the privilege to act as a linguist to help you develop the Yinhawangka Language Program for the future. My background is in linguistics and helping with Aboriginal language preservation, revitalisation and training. I know that a lot of effort has been put into bringing this programme into being and I am glad to be working on the Gurruma and Yinhawangka traditional lands. I recently finished a university thesis on Gurrama and was lucky to work with an elder in Onslow on this language. Before this, I lived in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory, where I was taught by the local people to speak some of their traditional language - Arrernte. I started working at Wangka Maya in 2011 and have been helping local people to record and document some of their endangered Pilbara languages (of which Yinhawangka is one) and also helping younger people to reclaim, learn and use their languages. As a Wangka Maya linguist I have seen lots of evidence of people’s recordings and contributions to the maintenance and preservation of their languages, as well as the heritage benefits gained from many different people's involvement. One of the main questions that I have been getting from talking with members is their request to access family language material held by Wangka Maya. This can be arranged through the admin team at Wangka Maya in South Hedland. There is a form, however, that people will need to fill out. Some of the recordings held at Wangka Maya include several different family speakers, so we will need to get permission from everyone involved with that recording in order to release this material. In the interim I will see if YAC can arrange to have the Wangka Maya request for materials form posted on the Yinhawangka website. As part of my work on the Yinhawangka dictionary I will be contacting those speakers and family members whose materials we will use for the dictionary development. Please note that a significant number of these speakers are now deceased; I apologise for this. Currently, this includes the following people/families:

Page 2: Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centreyinhawangka.com.au/wp-content/uploads/yinhawangka... · 2018. 8. 16. · 1 Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre PO Box 2736,

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A. Smith (dec)

David Cox

D. Condon (dec)

Darren Injie

J. Injie (dec)

June Injie

Lorraine Injie

L.Young (dec)

MC. Jones (dec)

M.Tommy (dec)

P. Stevens (dec)

Tadgee Limerick

As part of the Yinhawangka dictionary process I will contact these speakers and/or their families to see if they will grant permission to use their material. They will have opportunity to hear the recordings first. This may take some time. The feedback that I have gained from talking to some of you is for me to arrange family group meetings. To assist me with this Wangka Maya has agreed to engage Yinhawangka Elder, Mrs Roma Butcher, to both mentor and help with the establishment of the language program. There will be tricky bits to negotiate. However, this Yinhawangka Language Project will be a great way for all to share our experiences and find solutions. I am looking forward to being involved. If you have any queries/questions please either send them direct to Wangka Maya or to me as below: Wangka Maya P.A.L.C PO Box 2736. Sth Hedland 6722 Phone: (08)9172 2344 Email: [email protected] www.wangkamaya.org.au For now, I will not be sending any more letters directly to the Yinhawangka membership. However, I will be providing regular updates via the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation and Wangka Maya Newsletters and Websites. Please note that I have attached to this message our Proposed Implementation Plan for your use and comments. Regards Peter Hill Yinhawangka Linguist Tom Price Community Arts and Cultural Centre Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0437424498 (working hours only) www.wangkamaya.org.au