Aboriginal Education News
Yaama Ngindaay! (Hello everyone)
Recently we welcomed 3 new students from the one family to our school. Zeus in Kindergarten, Jayda in Year 3 and Mia in Year 5. They are from Worimi Country, around the Karuah area. All children in the school have warmly welcomed them to our St Kevin’s community.
Our students have been learning about the Worimi people, where their Country is located and interesting information about their history and traditions. So we now have mostly Kamilaroi / Gomeroi / Gamilaraay children, one Yorta Yorta girl and three Worimi children. I am from Gomeroi Country near Quirindi.
When you look at the Aboriginal Language Map below, you will find these 3 Aboriginal Nations.
The Kamilaroi nation is of vast expanse, lying within northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, stretching from as far as the Hunter Valley in NSW through to Nindigully in Qld and as far west as the Warrumbungle Mountains near Coonabarabran in NSW, sweeping across the Liverpool Plains.
Centres within this nation incorporate Quirindi, Tamworth, Narrabri, Walgett, Lightening Ridge, Moree, Boggabilla, Gunnedah, Mungindai, Murrurundi, Singleton and Nindigully (Qld).
Information courtesy of ‘Kamilaroi - A Nations Identity website, designed and compiled by Michelle Carpenter. Macquarie University NSW.’ https://kamilaroianationsidentity.weebly.com/location.html
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Traditional Yorta Yorta lands lie on both sides of the Murray River roughly from Cohuna to Albury / Wodonga. They include towns such as Echuca, Shepparton, Benalla, Corowa and Wangaratta and extend northwards to just south of Deniliquin.
Information courtesy of the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation https://yynac.com.au/
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The Worimi are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area. The area remains important for the Worimi people and traditional sites provide important information about their relationship and special connection with the lands. The Worimi nation, which envelops the Port Stephens local government area, extends from the Hunter River in the south to Forster in the north and as far west as the Barrington Tops and Maitland. The Worimi people spoke the Gathang language.
Information courtesy of the Port Stephens Council website (Aboriginal History) https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/play/culture-and-history/aboriginal-history
Our children at St Kevin’s continue to learn about First Nations People from across Australia, thereby deepening their knowledge, understanding and awareness of the great diversity of traditions and culture among our First Nations People.
We all now share in the wonderful history of this land we all call home. This is our journey together.
Take care, stay safe, and look after your mob.
Yaluu ngali ngamilay (We will see each other again)
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher