has collaborated with (IHHP), to record a song in Gooniyandi, promoting culture, country, language and history.
The song launch titled, Yiyili Mawoolie, coincides with NAIDOC Week celebrations as well as Yiyili Aboriginal Community School's 35 year anniversary.
Gooniyandi people have been the custodians of their language and country for thousands of years, however like most Aboriginal languages, theirs is at risk of being lost.
This is why Yiyili Aboriginal Community School Principal, Alex Mountford says language projects like these are crucial.
"Gooniyandi is on the brink of survival, which is why we need language projects that inspire the next generation," she said.
"The community are so proud of this - they are putting an enormous effort into keeping Gooniyandi alive as it is now only really spoken by elders."
The project, guided by Paul Cox and Frances Dawson, aims to stregnthen Aboriginal language and culture and was shot in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Yiyili Mawoolie, meaning Yiyili Children, sees the song recorded entirely in Gooniyandi language.
Yiyili Aboriginal Community School is underpinned by the importance of Gooniyandi country, language and family. Source: NITV News
Here language put down, language we put down on paper, language here we put down in song!
Yiyili Mawoolie is a reinvention of a former Gooniyandi song written by local elders in the 1980's. The song, also sung by Leon Cox (Walkabout Boys), Alinta Riley and Sharona Hester was written for and dedicated to all Gooniyandi people past and present.
"We speak Gooniyandi language. Long time ago we all spoke language to our children,"
Traditional ochre, painting, dancing, clap sticks and yidaki playing. Source: NITV News
"Our poor country, knowledge has gone missing. Biggest mob together strong spirit flows strong and fast through our land," and
"Here language put down, language we put down on paper, language here we put down in song!" ,are just some of the lyrics translated.
The 2017 National NAIDOC Theme is Our Languages Matter and a focus is on the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
To celebrate the 35 year anniversary of Yiyili Aboriginal Community School, IHHP and senior high school class students created song in language. Source: NITV News
Some 250 distinct Indigenous language groups covered the continent at first (significant) European contact in the late eighteenth century. Most of these languages would have had several dialects, so that the total number of named varieties would have run to many hundreds.
Today only around 120 of those languages are still spoken and many are at risk of being lost as Elders pass on. Alex says she hopes projects like this inspire the next generation to learn and use their language and culture.
"Those who have paved the way and left a legacy of a rich language and proud culture will be able to be treasured and continually celebrated by future generations," she said.
"We are really proud of this Music Video and please share, like, post repost and spread this beautiful language and country across the world."
The focus of NAIDOC 2017 is our languages matter and Yiyili Aboriginal Community School are showing this through song. Source: NITV News
Yiyili Mawoolie - Gooniyandi Lyrics
Spoken Word- Elder Francis Dawson
Ngindaji Yardi
Thangarndi Gooniyandi_Ngarri
Ngarranggarni Yaadi Binjadi Jiyaebirri
Yaadi Mawily_yoo
CHORUS- Leon Cox
Yiyili mawoolyi
boorojgilawoorroo , boorojgilawoorroo
Yiyili mawoolyi
Wanga Wanga
Ngindaji mawoolyi
Gooniyandingarri
Ngindaji mawoolyi
Jarrwirri
Verse one
Ngindaji waranggarra (Alinta Rieley)
Gooniyandignarri
Boogalangi riwiya,
Binarri Garrig
Yaadi Garndiwangaroo (Sherona Hester)
Binjadi birliri
Loorriri Thirrili
Binyi Yardi Riwi_ya
Ngindaji thangarndi yoodarra, (Shenille Benny)
Thangarndi ngindaji goorroomba,
Thangarndi ngindaji Joonba_ya ,
Thangarndi ngindaji Joonba_ya ,
Pre chorus x 2 Francis, Paul, Javon, (group)
Ngaboo Ngarranyi, Jaja, Jaminyi,
Marni, Marna Gooniyandiingarri,
CHORUS- Leon Cox
Verse two
Ngirndaji yaadi mawilyi (Lathenso Dawson)
Boowoorroongoo ngarri
Bindirri binyji walibirri_ya
Nganyi Dawangarri Ngirndaji riwiyoo (Francis Dawson)
Yidirla Moonggoowarla Barrangga
Ngangbidi Yardi Manyi Maa
Ngamoonhingi Yaningi
Thirroo Galamooda Gawi Lagarndi
Balga Bila Ngalinya Wawanyi
Roowa Loorroob Nyagboo
Wayandi Girrd Wab Ngabnga
Pre chorus x 2 Francis, Paul, Javon, (group)
CHORUS- Leon Cox
(Traditional Break Down) Clap Stick, Didge, Traditional Dancing
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