Yanda biratj- walk and talk.

Eden Language Group Advanced Class

This is a message stick created by Djamjambeen Walaanung to help to remember the walk.

Objectives:

· Refresh and activate student’s memories

· Teach students language in contextualized setting on-country

· Create a living memory space full of language and symbolic/metaphorical story

· Teach students how to teach language and transmit cultural knowledge on-country

Lesson one:

The focus will be on plants and environment; walking and sharing knowledge from start of track to camp area.

As the students progress more layers, deeper meaning and understanding will be embedded into the space. Relationships between country, people and spirit will be explored on many levels with language at the heart of the experience. The key words for the day will be discussed before heading out on country.

As this is an advanced class, students will be expected to know some of the words in the first few lessons and will be encouraged to step into a teaching role. Posing the question of “what is this?” as opposed to telling them. A sense of personal accountability will be fostered within the group with individual students being encouraged to hold and remember certain words. This way if a student forgets a word, another student responsible for that will be able to teach them.

Lesson plan:

1. Begin in the classroom where the key words are introduced and chanted to ensure that each student is saying the words correctly.

2. Select two points on either side of the start of the track and name them ngiiagaan (I / me) and ngindigaan (you). Use gestures as you say these words- tap your chest and point respectively.

3. Introduce yourself to the track using your language name.

4. As you walk along the track identify a feature you can name in the language (refer to the key words for the lesson). Touch, smell and engage all your senses in the feature as you say the word.

5. Repeat the word each time you pass it on the walk.

Key words to learn are:

Punbaal- (poon barl) -tree

Jigamy- (jig a me)- lomandra

Mamadja- (muma ja) -cherry tree

Djerowara – (jer row wa ra) -leaves

Gorang gorang- Lilli pilli

Bun bun- (boon boon ) -bark

Ngulbra- (nool bra) -she oak- (casuarina)

Bilbaan- (bil barn ) - rock

Miiamba- (my umber) -black wattle

Gurabang- (goo ra bung) -stone

Mingo- (min go) -grass tree

Nadjum- (nudge um) -water

Ganbaraalang – (gun bra lung)- flowers

Garaara- (gu rar ra) -spear stick, pomaderris

Memory map exercise.

Students will be given a simple spatial map of the cultural walk and will be tasked with embedding their cultural knowledge, language, and identity into the map through the creation of their own symbols; to express what they have learned. This map becomes a personalized memory aid to assist the students in fully taking in the lessons of each class, creating a flowing story and progression of ideas through various layers over the class sessions.