Indigenous language resources

This book is good for introducing students to the richness of a First Nations sign language. It is presented as photographs, with Yolngu people demonstrating the signs and written text providing the meaning. It gives an insight to the linguistic richness that was once across this continent. Good for all year levels, primarily as a stimulus.

This book is good for introducing students to a First Nations alphabet and pronunciation. It is written by Ritharrngu and Madarrpa woman, Jill Daniels. It counts from 1-10 by using different animals, giving the English and the Ritharrngu words. At the back of the book is a guide to Ritharrngu sounds and spellings. Good for early childhood and lower primary classes.

This book is useful for introducing students to a First Nations language and living on Country. It is written and illustrated by Gija artist Shirley Purdie. She tells the story of her life, including her cultural knowledge, her early childhood on Country finding bush tucker, through to becoming an artist through a family knowledge tradition. Each page has English and Gija. Good for middle and upper primary classes, and as a stimulus for secondary classes.

This website is useful for introducing students to the First Language spoken in their location, and the diversity of First Languages. This website is an ongoing project that enables people to hear the language of their location. It is still growing, and more languages are missing than included. Languages can be chosen by zooming in on the map, or by choosing a word and hearing it in many different languages. The project is run by non-Indigenous academics with a First Nations project officer. Good for all classes, primarily as a stimulus.

This podcast is useful for teaching students about the ways languages express ideas, and exposing students to the diversity of First Languages. The podcast is presented by Bundjalung and Kullilli host Daniel Browning. Each podcast features a First Nations person who explains three words in their First Language. These provide insights into First Nations ways of knowing and being. Good for upper primary classes and secondary classes.