‘Djaindjin Gorna Jawal’ was launched at Christ the King Catholic School during NAIDOC Week, to the great excitement and pride of the school and Djarindjin and Lombadina communities.

It is full of traditional stories and tales of adventures with families and friends, as told by the students of the school, and written in ‘kriol’. The school ran a number of workshops where community members came to illustrate the students’ stories.

The launch on the Friday of NAIDOC Week was the first time students and community had seen the final publication, and everyone enjoyed reading the book. It is a wonderful collection of stories, colourfully illustrated by the story tellers and their families, a permanent snapshot of the lives of the children of Djarindjin and Lombadina.

The CEWA Aboriginal Education Team provided school staff with support in the project, and Aboriginal Teaching Assistants played a key role in bringing the book to life as an expression of language and culture.

The book also serves to give new teachers a means to learn about students’ language and ways of doing things, integrating the stories into their programs and use of art and technology.

Christ the King Catholic School will be running reprints for schools to purchase – register your interest with the school by contacting Helen Moneta at helen.moneta@cewa.edu.au.

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