Pilbara Resource File

Sharon McCleary (19113469) 1

SEMESTER 1 2012

EDUC8429 ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

Assignment 3

Resource File (Primary K-‐7): Pilbara Region, WA. Due: Monday May 14th 2012 Sharon McCleary

19113469 Word Count: 1126 (excluding references)

Unit Co-ordinator: Assistant Professor Clint Bracknell

Tutor: Elisa McGowan

Aboriginal Education EDUC8429

Sharon McCleary (19113469)

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Student Number: 19113469 Word Count: 1126 words, excluding references.

RESOURCE 1: Cahill, R. (2000). Deadly Ways to Learn Package: Deadly Yarns: Anecdotes about

Language, Culture, Identity and Power from the Deadly Ways to Learn Project; Deadly

Ideas: A collection of two-way bidialectal teaching strategies from the Deadly Ways to

Learn Project; Talking Deadly Video: language, culture, identity and power in the context

of Aboriginal English; Deadly Ways to Teach Video: two-way bidialectal education in

schools and classrooms. Deadly Ways to Learn Consortium. Western Australia.

This project involved teachers and Indigenous Education Officers participating in school-

based action-research aimed at improving the literacy outcomes of Indigenous students

using two-way bidialectal approaches, ultimately facilitating code-switching. South

Hedland Primary school staff participated in the project and contributed to the anecdotal

stories, providing valuable insights into community culture. Teaching strategies for

incorporating bidialectal approaches in the classroom are also given, including feedback

from the trials. The books/strategies can be used in the classroom to raise students’

awareness of Aboriginal English as a different dialect in terms of phonology, lexicon,

syntax, semantics and pragmatics, contributing to curriculum outcomes of

Understanding Language, Conventions, Processes & Strategies and Speaking &

Listening, and recognising cultural and linguistic diversity as a benefit in the classroom.



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RESOURCE 2:

Weber, T. & Nichols, R. (Ed.) (2010). Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route. National

Museum of Australia. Canberra.

http://www.form.net.au/aboriginal-development/canning-stock-route-project

This project explores some of the state’s leading contemporary artists who contributed

their knowledge to the rich cultural repository exploring the history and cultures of the

Canning Stock Route. The route passes through Pilbara communities: Nullagine,

Newman, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu and Kunawarritji and includes interviews,

paintings, photographs and stories by artists from the Martumili Art Centre. It connects

urban with remote, sharing the vibrancy of desert life and recording Indigenous histories

for new audiences. The resource can be used in SOSE-Indigenous histories and

perspectives, incorporating Literacy through interview/report/essay writing; Art-

demonstrating how art is integral to communicating within and across cultures,

connecting people and representing deeper social histories, and exploring use of form,

colour, style and texture; Mathematics-investigating distances, locations and directions,

aerial-views, shape, symmetry, dimensions of artworks; Science-conservation/usage of

water and other natural resources.



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RESOURCE 3:

Constenoble, K. (Ed.) (2003). Listen to the Old People: Aboriginal Oral Histories of the

Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language

Centre. South Hedland.

This book contains information on the traditional owners of Port Hedland and

neighbouring areas, including Indigenous place names and language maps. Funded by

the Council for Reconciliation, it provides a brief, localised commercial history and

provides insights from local elders regarding key issues: Country, Culture, Shared

Histories (including War Years, Nuclear Tests, Working Life, Removal of Children, Lock

Hospital, Segregation) and current views on Addressing Disadvantage and Destiny.

This book can be used to illustrate the central role oral histories play in documenting

Aboriginal history, retaining culture and language. It also has relevance to the historical

skills curriculum (SOSE), enabling historical inquiry and research, analysis of sources,

perspectives and interpretations.



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RESOURCE 4: Titz, Tobias. (2012). Marnti Warajanga: a walk together (Photographic exhibition

booklet). Old Parliament House, Museum of Australian Democracy in association

with Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre and Tobias Titz – travelling

exhibition, Perth and Pilbara (South Hedland, Yandeyarra, Warralong, Newman,

Jigalong).

Website access: www.moadoph.gov.au (photographs and videos).

This exhibition contains photographic portraits of contemporary Pilbara residents,

and their comments on historical events and central themes that significantly

affected and are integral to their lives i.e. 1946 Strike, 1967 Referendum, The

Apology, Art & Music, Language & Culture, Country. It uses videos to extend

written comments, providing several, varied perspectives across generations. It

provides exemplar use of visual arts and ICT to represent perspectives and

interpretations, and change over time within a social, historical and cultural context.

Students can respond to various aspects of the exhibition orally, through writing,

music, visual arts, or using ICT, spanning several areas of the curriculum (Literacy,

Arts, Music, ICT).



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RESOURCE 5: Garimara, D. (2006) Home to Mother. University of Queensland Press. Queensland.

The central characters in this book are from the East Pilbara, and their strong ties to

this region are a prominent theme throughout the book, as they travel through other

parts of the state. Specifically written for young readers, it incorporates illustrations

of the region’s landscapes and Mardujara words throughout the text (with

translations), cleverly portraying the realities and hardships of life amidst oppressive

government policy. It is useful for exploring comprehension strategies, narrative

structure/organisation, use of language/images to construct character and historical

contexts (SOSE). Mathematics applications include Measurement: distance

(incorporating western & Indigenous aspects of time), Location & Transformation

(maps), and Biological Science: Plants and Animals, Indigenous & western seasons,

interdependence of living/non-living systems.



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RESOURCE 6: Wangka Maya. (2009). 1946 Pastoral Workers’ Strike Article. Retrieved from

http://www.wangkamaya.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27

3:1946-strike&catid=164:history&Itemid=386. South Hedland. WA.

Noakes, D. (1987). How the West Was Lost (DVD, 72 mins). Ronin Films. Australia.

(2006). 60 Years on DVD ISBN 187594687X. In-house production Wangka Maya.

South Hedland. WA.

These DVD’s document the story of the 1946 Aboriginal Pastoral Workers’ Strike

using several Pilbara languages (Warnman, Nyangumarta, Yindjibarndi) and English

subtitles. They give insight into the oppressive conditions that led to the strike, the

independence and success that resulted: self-sufficiency, development of mining,

pastoral and pearl-shelling ventures. 60 years on provides oral histories and

examines the continuing impact of the strike. These resources are useful in

examining the historical, social and political influence of this major strike action on

individuals and the community (local, national and international) through the

Speaking & Listening/Viewing aspects of the curriculum. They can be used to

encourage oral and written responses, and in Numeracy (examining financial

implications).



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RESOURCE 7: Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre.

http://www.wangkamaya.org.au

Established in 1987, Wangka Maya works with Pilbara Aboriginal Language

communities to produce dictionaries, sketch-grammars, storybooks, recordings and

resources to promote preservation and use of 31 Pilbara languages. The website

provides invaluable information on local history, culture (songs, stories, images,

books) and languages, providing access to e-dictionaries and e-books for many

Pilbara languages. The centre is involved in a wide range of community initiatives

and provides Cultural Awareness Training, addressing how Pilbara people identify

themselves, communication skills and values, and the impact of cultural differences

on life and work. An incursion/excursion would expose students to linguists and

elders working to preserve languages and histories, and build student awareness of

the critical project work carried out at the centre.



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RESOURCE 8:

Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation. (2005). Wanggalili: Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma

Plants. Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation. Roebourne. Pilbara. WA.

Groom, S. (n.d.). AERU (Aboriginal Education Resources Unit) Bush Food Poster

Kit. Aboriginal Education Resources Unit. WA. (Supplementary: selection of

posters for local plants such as Bush Onion, Rock Fig, Quandong, for classrooml

display and discussion).

This book contains photographs of many Pilbara plants, giving information about

them in Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma languages, with English and scientific names

included. Plants and their uses are an integral part of Aboriginal culture, and

familiarity with local plants and their uses is central to knowing and belonging to

the community. This resource is valuable in Science: Plants, interdependency of

living things and ecosystems, and in illustrating the Use and Influence of science

(ACARA, 2011), including medicinal uses. It can also assist in developing Art

skills and processes.



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RESOURCE 9:

Morgan, S. & Kwaymullina, A. (2012). Bush Bash. Little Hare Books. Australia.

Kwaymullina, E. & Morgan, S. (2011). My Country. Fremantle Press. Australia.

Kwaymullina, A. (2007). Crow and The Waterhole. Fremantle Press. Australia.

Kwaymullina, A. (2009). Caterpillar and Butterfly. Fremantle Press. Australia.

This collection of children’s books is written and illustrated by an inspirational

family from the Bailgu and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara. They explore a variety

of themes, including strong connection and love for country; destiny and self-

knowledge/identity; overcoming fears, reaching potential, helping others to reach

their potential. Bush Bash is ideal for exploring number concepts in early

childhood, using native Australian animals and Indigenous objects to foster a love

for counting and making strong links with the number system. It is also suitable

for Science, looking at introduced species’ impact on the environment. Ambelin

Kwaymullina’s books can be used in Literacy (comprehension and writing), to

extend the standard form of narrative to a fuller, more circular structure,

representative of life-cycles, and in Biological Science and Art (style: use of colour

& form).



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RESOURCE 10: Brown, A (S). & Geytenbeek, B. (2003). Ngarla Songs. Fremantle Press. WA.

Brown, A (S). (2003). Ngarla Songs CD ISBN 1920 731 733). In-house production.

Published by Wanka Maya. South Hedland.

This collection of 68 Ngarla songs describe everyday life, the effect of non-

Aboriginal culture, the wonders of nature and give insight into the thoughts of

Indigenous people of the Pilbara. They provide a record of the early years of

European settlement in the Pilbara using the poetry genre, and emphasise the

importance of music in retaining and celebrating local culture. Classroom uses

include SOSE, analysis (reading/writing) of the poetry genre in Literacy, exploring

concepts such as meter, rhyme, rhythm and identifying central themes; Music-

exploration of instruments, rhythms, pitch, use of tempo; Physical Education-

movement to music.



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REFERENCES

Brown, A (S). & Geytenbeek, B. (2003). Ngarla Songs. Fremantle Press. WA.

Brown, A (S). (2003). Ngarla Songs CD ISBN 1920 731 733). In-house production.

Published by Wanka Maya. South Hedland.

Cahill, R. (2000). Deadly Ways to Learn Package. Deadly Ways to Learn Consortium.

Western Australia.

Constenoble, K. (Ed.) (2003). Listen to the Old People: Aboriginal Oral Histories of

the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal

Language Centre. South Hedland.

Cullender, A. (Ed.) (1994). Aboriginal Studies Across The Curriculum. Catholic

Education Office. Perth. WA.

FORM, (2012). Canning Stock Route Project. Retrieved from

http://www.form.net.au/aboriginal-development/canning-stock-route-project,

May 2012.

Garimara, D. (2006) Home to Mother. University of Queensland Press. Queensland.

Groom, S. (n.d.). Bush Food Poster Kit. Aboriginal Education Resources Unit

(AERU). WA.

Healey, J. (Ed.) (2001). Issues in Society: The Stolen Generations (Volume 156). The

Spinney Press. Sydney.

Holland-McNair, L. (2006). Breaking New Ground: Stories of Mining and the

Aboriginal People of the Pilbara. Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Australia.



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Holland-McNair, L. (2007). Red Dust in Her Veins: Women of the Pilbara. University

of Western Australia Press. Australia.

Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation, (2005). Wanggalili: Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma

Plants. Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation. Australia.

Kwaymullina, E. & Morgan, S. (2011). My Country. Fremantle Press. Australia.

Kwaymullina, A. (2007). Crow and The Waterhole. Fremantle Press. Australia.

Kwaymullina, A. (2009). Caterpillar and Butterfly. Fremantle Press. Australia.

Low, T. (1990). Bush Medicine: A Pharmacopoeia of Natural Remedies. William

Collins Publishes. Australia.

MOADOPH (Museum of Australian Democracy Old Parliament House). Marnti

Warajanga: a walk together. Retrieved from www.moadoph.gov.au, May

2012.

Morgan, S. (1990). My Place for Young Readers. Fremantle Press, Australia.

Morgan, S. & Kwaymullina, A. (2012). Bush Bash. Little Hare Books. Australia.

Morgan, S. & Kwaymullina, E. (2009). Sam’s Bush Journey. Little Hare Books.

Australia.

Noakes, D. (1987). How the West Was Lost (DVD, 72 mins). Ronin Films. Australia.



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The Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2010). The Australian

Curriculum. Retrieved from: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au, May

2012.

Curriculum Council of Western Australia. (2009). Curriculum Organiser Outcomes

Overview. Curriculum Council of WA. Retrieved from

http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au, May 2012.

Titz, Tobias. (2012). Marnti Warajanga: a walk together (Photographic exhibition

booklet). Old Parliament House. Canberra.

Wangka Maya. Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre. Retrieved

from:http://www.wangkamaya.org.au, May 2012. South Hedland, WA.

Wangka Maya. (2006). 60 Years on DVD ISBN 187594687X. In-house production

Wangka Maya. South Hedland.

Wangka Maya. (2009). 1946 Pastoral Workers’ Strike. Retrieved from:

http://www.wangkamaya.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&

id=273:1946-strike&catid=164:history&Itemid=386, May, 2012.

Weber, T. & Nichols, R. (Ed.) (2010). Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route.

National Museum of Australia. Canberra.

Technology

Pilbara Resource File