Aliwa! Kwobidjil Yoowal Nidjak Koorliny
Hey – Watch Out! Things are moving – best is coming here.
We dedicate this Special Sponsored Edition to Indigenous Suicide Prevention. We give thanks to the University of Western Australia’s, Department of Indigenous Studies for the sponsorship they provided for this issue. This publication is timely given the high rates of suicide among indigenous people and the attention globally on suicide with the observation of World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th of September 2017. Many language groups make up Indigenous Australia. Many authors in the journal live in Noongar country and as such it is fitting that Noongar language describes the intent of our work. The title for Indigenous Australia is Aliwa! Kwobidjil Yoowal Nidjak Koorliny, which means: Hey – Watch Out! Things are moving – the best is coming here. These words were gifted by Noongar Elder, Aunty Roma Winmar. Roma Winmar has worked significantly in indigenous education and the arts where she is continuously working with promoting Noongar language and cultural activities and has translated many childrens songs into Noongar. She has extensive language skills and is presently employed as a Noongar language teacher at Western Australia’s Moorditj College. She has delivered sessions at conferences on language and sits on the Department of Education’s Curriculum Council in setting standards and educational expectations for Noongar language taught at secondary and TEE.
Kia rite! Kia rite! Kia mau! Tukua!
Get ready! Line up! Steady! Launch!
Powered by Māori and Indigenous aspirations and knowledge, this issue is released.