Indigenous languages creative arts residency – round two announced

Pa la nganduw kedew, nganduw acknowledge thangk, ancestors who lived for warrék, hundreds of thousands of years evolving under the starlight of the patháliy ngamáyvrr with their place, their walngk, feelings, their story, pínganvm, their lore/law, called bora, yirral. Nganduw acknowledge thangk, ancestors who are buried on country at Pinnarinch, Inkerman Station in Cape York.

Pa la nganduw kedew, ma wanjibung pukun of the white dingo clan of the Kokoberrin People, a knowledge holder and fourth-generation maker of Kokoberrin cultural objects.

Shaun is a multifaceted Kokoberrin artist, creator, philosopher, and emerging Elder undertaking doctoral research at the University of Queensland Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. He has a background in public health and visual anthropology, experiences that shape his capacity to work at the intersection of culture, knowledge, and health.

Through this residency, Shaun’s residency project, Pa la Nganduw Kadew – I am Dingo Clan will transform this traditional story into a bilingual Kokoberrin–English storybook, brought to life with original illustrations inspired by Kokoberrin symbols, landscapes, and design. The project combines language documentation, community collaboration, and artistic storytelling to ensure the white dingo story, and the cultural knowledge it carries, is passed on to future generations. Storytelling sessions and workshops will accompany the storybook’s development, strengthen intergenerational language learning and celebrating Kokoberrin culture.

Ella Kris will create a new children’s eBook that celebrates Torres Strait Islander culture through story, language, and technology. Written in Meriam Mir, the interactive digital book will immerse young readers in the rich island traditions, community spirit, and natural beauty of the Torres Strait.

Readers will be able to tap or click to hear words and phrases spoken in Meriam Mir, making language learning fun and accessible for children and families. With vibrant visuals, engaging narration, and cultural storytelling, the project blends creativity with language revitalisation, ensuring the sounds and stories of Meriam Mir continue to be shared with future generations. 

On reflecting on the project, Ella shared:

 “By creating an interactive children’s eBook, this project will help pass on Meriam Mir in an engaging, modern format that young people and families can access and use every day. The project supports early learning, family engagement, and language pride, essential steps in revitalising the language for future generations.”  

The project is driven by a deep concern for the future of Torres Strait islands and the cultural connections they hold. Climate change is already reshaping island life — rising seas, coastal erosion, and extreme weather are threatening homes, sacred sites, and even the islands themselves. These changes aren’t just environmental; they touch the heart of identity, language, and belonging.

Cheryl’ project at the State Library of Queensland will explore the connections between children’s literature and First Nations storytelling to support Kooma/Guwamu language revitalisation. Drawing on the library’s collections and insights from senior Kooma storytellers, the project will inform the creation of a groundbreaking series of Kooma-language board books, designed to introduce young children to basic language concepts through cultural storytelling methods.

The board books will be the first of their kind in the Kooma language. The stories will also come to life online through audio and video resources, giving Kooma families and communities new ways to connect, learn, and share their language.

On reflecting on the project, Cheryl shared: 

“The Kooma language is critically endangered. At the last census, only one person was recorded as using Koom at home. I am passionate about changing that. Every new word learned, every new speaker is a triumph over the colonisation of our language." 

"The objective of this project is to encourage and support the reclamation of Kooma/Guwamu language during the United Nations International Decade for Indigenous Languages by making engaging language learning resources available to the community. The development of learning resources is the first step towards potential future community-led language reclamation gatherings so that by the next census, there is a significant increase in the number of Kooma people using our language.”

Utcha ine bibboon mare – I Dreamt of You is a research & creative project inspired by Sachém’s maternal lineage and created in response to the State Library’s language collection. It is, in many ways, both a letter to Country and a conversation across generations.

Through this work, Sachém will develop three original soundscapes that honour the intergenerational storytelling of his maternal line from Quandamooka Country. These soundscapes are inspired by the research and stories passed down from his great-grandmother and grandmother —women whose strength, wisdom, and words continue to guide his cultural, creative, and personal journey. 

Jandai language will sit at the heart of every part of this project—from the textures of sound, to the titles, to the lyrical content. No English will be used within the soundscapes, ensuring this work becomes both a reclamation and celebration of language. Sachém will be working closely with his big cousin / sister Sam Bunda, to maintain cultural integrity and linguistic accuracy throughout.