Why Warriors Pty Ltd | Non-governmental organisation (NGO)

Why Warriors Pty Ltd

Phone: 1300 501 795

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25.01.2022 There is a lot of talk about the importance of teaching and relearning original Australian languages at the moment. But in doing so, we must make sure the correct sounds (or syllabic phonics) of that language rather than anglicised versions of sounds are being taught. Do you know how to correctly pronounce 'Nhulunbuy' for example? Listen to Q&A 56 and make sure!

25.01.2022 A Balanda (white, mainstream) nurse said to Why Warriors founder, Richard Trudgen: I went to pick up this Yolngu baby to have a little cuddle, and everyone was saying to me ‘no, no, no, you’re in avoidance with that baby!’ did it really matter that I continued to pick up the baby? Yes! said Richard, you made a stressful situation even more stressful. Some things you just have to avoid. Yolngu have a complicated kinship structure that involves both ‘care’ and ‘avoida...nce’ relationships between family members that must be adhered to. Avoidance relationships can be with people much older or much younger, and are put in place for reasons of respect or protection. Find out more in our latest Q&A.

24.01.2022 The Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area is vast and highly diverse, covering approximately 16,800km2 (11,172km2 of land and 5,628km2 of sea country), 13 clans a...nd 30 homelands. Over the past three weeks the Yirralka Rangers have been establishing a new governance structure which aims to facilitate greater flexibility and more localised decision making, with the formation of three representative bodies for the Djalkiripuyu, Miyarrkapuyu and Laynhapuyu wards. Community meetings were held at Baniyala, Yalakan and Garrthalala and with the support of our Ranger Coordinator Lirrpiya Munungurr, the Ward Mala (groups) were formed. They will be made up of 72 Wäna Watau (traditional owners) and Djugayi (caretakers) that will meet biannually, always on country, in our homelands. Six of those representatives were also nominated to be Dhawu Wikanamirr (story tellers) that will attend all ward meetings annually and share stories between the three wards. The Ward Mala will form a strong and powerful voice from country for the Yirralka Rangers and provide space for collective decision making. We are looking forward to our first meeting later this year. #yirralkarangers #countryneedspeople

24.01.2022 The display and availability of food in stores impacts the sugar intake and improve the health of remote communities. This study shares how the volume of sugar purchased plummeted in 12 weeks across 10 stores, including Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak and Ramingining. 1.8 tonnes less free sugar was purchased through foods and drinks. That’s equivalent to the weight of a large car!

23.01.2022 The mother-in-law relationship is a fraught and powerful one in all societies, but in traditional Yolngu society, she is the queen. As the mother of someone’s wife or precious wives to be, she has absolute authority.

22.01.2022 This week we deal with the idea that Aboriginal people always get free handouts. And that if you’ve been discriminated against as a cultural group for the past 200 years, with your land taken off you, family and ancestors massacred, and mainstream society still using derogatory names rather than the true names of your philosophies and legal systems, then a bit of positive discrimination should be acceptable? See our full list of Q&As here: https://www.whywarriors.com.au//cultural-awareness-/100qa/

22.01.2022 This week marks thirteen years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Declaration protects the rights of Indigenous Peoples in relation to self-government, land, education, employment, health and other areas. While many countries have taken steps to align their policies with these standards, a massive implementation gap still remains. In recognition of that we acknowledge the anniversary and share them here. https://www.culturalsurvival.org//celebrating-13-years-un-

22.01.2022 The ALPA CDP team in Ramingining were in full force supporting the Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation clinic in rolling out the Pfizer Vaccine roll out in com...munity. CDP joined with RSAS, Dinybulu Regional Services, and the ALPA store to learn about the Pfizer vaccine so the right information can be shared in community. We're proud about the turnout in community in the fight against COVID-19.

21.01.2022 Incredible achievement! The ancient art of Yolu Sign Language (YSL) has now been published as a landmark resource, to help prevent this rare form of communication from disappearing altogether. "The Illustrated Handbook of Yolu Sign Language of North East Arnhem Land" explains, illustrates and teaches YSL. It covers the vocabulary, alphabet and grammar, with captions and text in Yolu and in English. It’s an easy to use and beautiful full-colour guide, to be distributed free... of charge to the children of North East Arnhem Land, as Baymarrwaa requested. Laurie ‘big boss’ Baymarrwaa was an extraordinary woman who spent a lifetime promoting the intergenerational transmission of local language and knowledge to sustain authentic livelihoods on the homelands. You can order copies of the book now here: https://www.yolngusignlanguage.com.au/

21.01.2022 Possible new independent school, teaching in both English and Yolngu Matha, is hoping to be opened on the Garma festival site.

18.01.2022 Two beautiful new coins have been released by the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the astronomical knowledge and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They feature artworks of two of the most famous features in Aboriginal astronomy: the great Emu in the Sky and the Seven Sisters. Both celestial features are found in the astronomical traditions of many Aboriginal cultures across Australia.

18.01.2022 Interesting series of restored photos from the 1920s/50s at Galiwin’ku, Elcho Island

17.01.2022 A lot of what we know about Aboriginal culture comes from Aboriginal myths and stories. However Richard Trudgen discusses that these are often the stories told to children at bedtime around the campfire. Whilst they have profound teaching effect, they not tell the deep knowledge of the original Australian culture.

17.01.2022 Yolu people know how to catch fish. Given thousands of generations of intimate co-existence with the sea they know precisely the pattern of seasonal fish movements. They know where different kinds of fish are, what they eat, and when and how to catch them and more interestingly they know their names, dances and their family relationships. In 1961 Yolu men and Milingimbi School Principal, Alan Fidock, developed an appropriately culture based fishing enterprise at Milingimbi.

16.01.2022 Let us know if you recognise anything or changes to the area!

16.01.2022 NEW! Our podcast series on Yolngu and Balanda (white, mainstream) systems of law. What does Balanda court sees as ‘real evidence’ versus what do Yolngu people see as evidence based on their kinship and estate/land ownership systems, learnt since birth. How can these two systems of law work together to achieve mägaya (peace) for all? Audio is a conversation in Yolngu Matha and English, with an accompanying condensed transcript on our website in English. https://www.djambatjmarram.com//88-meaning-of-evidence-fr/

11.01.2022 The Why Warriors team are shocked and saddened by the passing of one of our radio producers, Mr C. Yunupingu. He was a researcher, co-producer & Yolngu language expert. He had been sick for a long time, but after going to Darwin for tests, was still not sure about his medical condition. We are trying to get information out of the system to explain why he sadly died too soon. We have closed down all of his audio, podcasts and videos on Why Warriors and Djambatjmarram webpages. These will not resume until we receive his family permission to play them again. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mr C. Yunupingu’s family and wider community. May this light a fire in all of us to continue developing essential health information for Yolngu people, preventing these early deaths and confusion from happening in future.

11.01.2022 For everyone asking for more info on Harold ‘Sheppy’ Shepherdson, who flew across NE Arnhem Land in a home-built plane! In 1933 at Milingimbi missionary Harold Shepherdson ordered the blueprints for a Health Parasol from America, the linen from Ireland and a motorbike engine from England. He built the frame, stretched the linen over it and applied Dope to tighten & waterproof. The first plane built in the NT began half a century of flying missionary service. He had a serie...s of other planes a Miles Hawk, Moth, and Latterly Cessna - one didn't have any seats so he sat on a fruit box whilst everyone else knelt on the floor. Unfortunately the hangar, timber mill etc have all since been destroyed. There are a few more images on the Miligimbi page here: https://www.pastmasters.net/milingimbi.html Our sincere thanks to Mike Owen for at PastMasters for these historical updates on the people and history of NE Arnhem Land.

11.01.2022 Two biggest tips on preparing to move to or work with an Aboriginal community? 1. Learn the language! Get hold of as many resources as possible. By learning the language, you will also learn about the culture, and a different way of encoding or framing the world, rather than just stepping off the plane with your own cultural baggage. 2. Read as much of the history of the area as possible. ... Orienting yourself and preparing in advance means you will likely stay longer and be much more useful in the community.

10.01.2022 Wonderful Yolu people connect through gurruu extended family relationships. If we adopt you we accept you as our own relative. It means I want to connect with you, relate to you, communicate easily with you. To and fro... Ngunhi ngarra dhu gumurryu marram nhuna, ngunhiyiny nhe bilin gurrutumirra ngarraku.... Nguringiyiny ga mangutji- lakaram ngunha ngali dhu bawalamirra wanganhamirrka bala rali balanydjarratjarran." -- words from our Yolu researcher, Beja Gondarra to help bridge the gap and improve understanding on gurruu for Balanda too. https://www.whywarriors.com.au/2020/10/adopt-a-balanda/

09.01.2022 Morning. People please don’t feel offended. But I believe the best way to have community meetings is not by calling meeting in public place because Yolngu in hu...b communities live in clan groups and should be approached differently. Therefore we must go around camp to camp if we need to get a better outcome from different clan groups and leaders. This will take time and days, but this is the real local decision making and must be done properly. Same applies to any Government departments official staff, workers etc. must always arrange go and have meetings all different leaders and elders. Come and sit down with our diplomatic leaders and elders for genuine decision making

06.01.2022 We often get asked why do Aboriginal people want to leave meetings after only 10 minutes? Here’s the thing - professionals who fly into remote communities think English is like some kind of magic. That is will go into people’s ears and change the grey matter in their brains. That’s not how it works and it’s just tormenting the people. For Yolngu, English is their fifth or sixth language. So when outsiders go on and on with their agenda and next point of the curricula they need to cover and the next and the next, people sit there going when the hell can we get out of here? They ask when’s morning tea? When’s lunch? hoping they don’t have to come back for more torture afterwards.

06.01.2022 Our most recent newsletter "LANGUAGE CAN SET OFF A BOMB!" is out now on our website. It's all about language and how translations of top-down messages in the current COVID-19 crisis are causing chaos everywhere. Plus news on the NT election outcome, and tributes to the late Phyllis B Burarrwanga, our radio producer, Mr C. Yunupingu, and farewell to Justine Speed who is moving on to new endeavours after working with Why Warriors for nearly 20 years https://www.whywarriors.com.au//language-can-set-off-a-bo/ Sign up to receive our news directly: https://1171671.extforms.netsuite.com///compid.1171671/.f

05.01.2022 Celebrating International Translation Day! This day recognises that the world is an incredibly multilingual place and that those of us who provide translation services play an important role in helping people understand each other and bring people together. "2020 has been a difficult year for all. When news appeared that a deadly new virus was quickly spreading around the planet and anxiety grew, there was a potentially life-saving need for clear and accurate information in l...anguages that people understand best. The work of translators became urgent." Cross-cultural translations of top down messages are vital for remote communities in NE Arnhem Land - read more in our past media release: https://www.whywarriors.com.au//one-case-of-covid-19-in-n/ https://meigimkriolstrongbala.org.au//meigim-kriol-stron/

05.01.2022 "Aboriginal people, our culture and deep knowledges are often seen as in the past, fixed and stagnant." Here are just a few examples of Aboriginal plant use that "highlight our deep knowledge and holistic approaches to ecological management."

04.01.2022 We make an artform out of remembering past defeats in our country. On ANZAC Day we hold dawn services and say "lest we forget". But the massacres and defeats of Aboriginal people need to be forgotten, to be moved on from. Richard opens up the discussion that it should be "lest we forget" for everybody. With truth and justice being the flame we all carry in order to move on.

04.01.2022 Good morning all. I would to thank all those who supported me in this 2020 election. I am ready to stand, listen and support everyone. I stand on Yolngu Rom Ngu...rrungu and I want Yolngu ga Balanda to work side by side towards creating a better future for our children. This term I will sit with the Government, departments and organisations with our community leaders and elders and we ALL make decision on welfare of our children, education, apprenticeships, Justice, economy, environment, health, housing, infrastructure etc. just a few things in mind. But let us ALL be part of the decision making See more

03.01.2022 CONGRATULATIONS Helen Ganalmirriwuy and Joe Dhamanydji - finalists in the AWM Contemporary First Nations Art Award. 1/ Helen Ganalmirriwuy, Lurrkun mindirr (th...ree conical baskets), gunga, balgurr, gamurunggu ga bush colour (pandanus, kurrajong, ochre and bush dyes), 2020. 2/ Joe Dhamanydji with his work Birrkuda Galinyin - balanda crown ga Yolngu crown, 2020 #helenganalmirriwuy #joedhamanydji #contemporaryart #artaward #firstnationsart #finalists #weaving #ochreonbark #painting #contemporaryweaving #ochreonfibre #fibreart #yolnguandbalandacrown #thequeenandthehoney #queenbee #sustainableart #localharvest #localmaterials #yolngugabalanda #contemporaryfirstnationsartaward #contemporaryfirstnationsart #kingandwoodmallesons #molmindirr #blackconicalbasket #bushdye #ecocolour See more

03.01.2022 Have you seen the latest mural at Adelaide’s TANDANYA? The new mural celebrates the life and legacy of Yolu actor, dancer, singer and painter, David Gulpi...lil AM on the east wall of TANDANYA National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, on Kaurna Country, Adelaide. Designed by South Australian artist, Ngarrindjeri man Thomas Readett and approved by Gulpilil personally, the hand-painted mural was commissioned by ABCG Film in collaboration with TANDANYA National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, and supported by Arts South Australia, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Screen Australia’s P&A Plus program. The mural acknowledges the extraordinary life and career of Gulpilil, referencing both his Yolu culture and Country, as well as his current chosen home of Murray Bridge in South Australia. The mural was hand-painted over three days by Readett together with Apparition Media artist Laura Jackson. It’s my absolute honour to be involved in this project, painting David Gulpilil and creating a mural that celebrates his life and legacy. It’s really important to have murals like this that celebrate First Nations Peoples, and it's great seeing how the public and community respond.- Artist Thomas Readett said. : Renee Readett Creative at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute via ABC Adelaide

03.01.2022 When the first lockdown began, the community of Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem Land had one main priority; to keep their precious elders safe. Eighteen-year-old Siena, a young Yolngu filmmaker, documented this time #LockdownStories

02.01.2022 Today's Q&A: "Why don't Aboriginal people just learn English and join the modern world? Then everything will be fine."

02.01.2022 Let’s get rid of the myth that Aboriginal people never owned the land. Having lived with Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land for over 45 years now, Richard Trudgen explains the use of Yolngu phrases: Wäa waau or Land or property owners and yirralka waau owners of the estate. These language terms speak of the affinity Yolngu and many other Aboriginal groups have with their estates. And because these have been a part of their heritage for thousands and thousands of years, their ownership is as strong as the land’s ownership of them.