Noongar word program celebrates culture through language
Our Noongar 'word of the month' program aims to promote cultural awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by sharing traditional language with staff in a fun and engaging way.
Employees receive an educational email each month featuring a word in the local Noongar language of the Aboriginal peoples of the southwest of WA. Each communication introduces the Noongar word, describes its meaning and cultural significance, and includes a custom-designed illustration.
We worked with Rhys Paddick, co-founder of Acknowledge This! and a Badimia-Yamatji man, to create this artwork for an initial 12-month program. Each piece illustrates the word's specific concept and has a unique and at times humorous link to GESB employees to increase relevance and promote engagement.
You can see some of the monthly cartoons below.
Meaning
Djurapin (dura-pin) means happy.
Cultural significance
Feeling, intent and connection are fundamental to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. You may hear this word in a Welcome to Country, often in the context of the speaker being happy to welcome everyone, and/or happy to be present.
Happy means different things to different people. A few of our staff members are pictured doing things that make them happy.
Meaning
Kaatidjiny (cart-di-gin) means knowledge.
Cultural significance
Noongar spirituality is one of many kaatidjiny systems within Aboriginal Australia, and like other knowledge systems, there is diversity in Noongar interpretations.
Certain Noongar lore belongs solely to either men or women. There are many special places around Noongar Country (boodja) that are important to Noongar men and women for ceremonial purposes to recognise the coming of age from youth into adulthood. Traditionally, secret customs and rituals existed for the passage into manhood and womanhood.
Stories are part of the kaatidjiny passed down from Elders and family and are integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity.
GESB also has a role to play in passing down knowledge to its community of members and employers.
As part of our reconciliation journey, we aim to celebrate and raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kaatidjiny.
Meaning
Derbal Yerrigan (der-bul yeri-gun) means Swan River.
Cultural significance
The Swan River is closely associated with the Noongar creation spirit known as the Waugal. According to local tradition, Waugal is a snake or rainbow serpent recognised as the giver of life, maintaining all fresh water sources.
The Waugal created many of the rivers and wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain as well as other landforms around Perth and the south west, including the Swan and Canning Rivers.
GESB’s offices are located on the lands of the Swan River – and some of our employees have a noted affinity with the water.
More information
- Read about how we're building super pathways in regional WA
- Learn about our staff's experience during an interactive lesson on early contact history
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 08 May 2024.