Poetry in First Languages 2018

Weaving language and poetry Kirli Saunders Gadigal with students

Creating moments to share at Gadigal workshops

Finding belonging together at Gadigal workshops

First Nations educators on Gadigal land

Kirli Saunders PIFL educator and creator

Discovering the magic of language in Darawal workshops

Connecting with culture and poetry through performance

Poetry in unusual places Dharawal student Victoria and Kirli Saunders

Language in flow There's poetry in water

Language without words Cookaroo Flow installation at RBG, Sydney

like the yinaagirbang before us we look for small things –
listen for silences – weave our own basket of
gatherings to keep safe

~ from 'The Gatherers' by Jeanine Leane

Developed by Gunai poet Kirli Saunders and delivered by Red Room Poetry, Poetry in First Languages (PIFL) celebrates, shares and preserves knowledge of First Nations languages and culture through poetry, music, dance and art.

PIFL supports First Nations students in creating poetry in first languages by connecting them to First Nations poets, Elders and Language Custodians on Country. The focus is to strengthen the connection of First Nations students to Country, language and community in order to empower students to feel pride in their cultural identities resulting in enhanced wellbeing overall.

Help keep first nations languages alive

Donate

Just $25 will help one First Nations child in a regional area create poetry in first languages and connect them to First Nations poets, Elders and Language Custodians on Country.

Poets

Contributing Elders, Language Custodians and artists

Trish Levett (Gundungurra), Val Mulcahy (Gundungurra), Jodi Edwards (Yuin), Troy Styman (Gundungurra), Lewis Walker (Bundjalung), Joe Geia (Murri) Jacob Morris (Gumea Dharawal), Adrian Webster (Gumea Dharawal), Joel Deaves (Gumea Dharawal) Lyndsay Urquhart (Koori), Kirli Saunders (Gunai), Joel Davison (Gadigal), DJ Terra Nullius, Rheanna Lotter (Yuin), Allan Giddy, David Cragg, Wesley McLeod, Jan Levy, Luke Close, Josh Brown (Woremi), Vikki Parsley (Dhurga), Wayne Knight (Barkindji), Kevin Knight (Barkindji), Elaine Lomas (Wiradjuri).

Workshops & events

Cookaroo Flow (Sydney NSW)
1 December - 28 February 2019, creative installation by Allan Giddy in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Dharawal (Illawarra NSW)
22 November with Bargo Public School
Gadigal (Sydney NSW)
5 November with Alexandria Park Community School, Laramba School and Ntaria School
Yuin (Shoalhaven NSW)
6-27 August with Jervis Bay School, North Nowra Public School and Nowra East Public School.
Tumbalong Gatherers (Sydney NSW)
Poetic lightboxes installed through Darling Quarter and Darling Square during NAIDOC week
Student poetry on buses (Illawarra NSW)
4 buses with student poetry in First Languages travelled the Illawarra between July and September.
Bundjalung (North East NSW)
8-10 August with Balund-a Diversionary Centre (branch of Unlocked)
Dharawal (Illawarra NSW)
14-15 May with Warrawong Public School, Warrawong High School and Kemblawarra Public School
Gundungurra (Southern Highlands NSW)
19-21 March with Moss Vale High School, Mittagong Public School and Moss Vale Public School

Partners and Supporters

Poetry in First Languages is generously supported by many partners since 2018: Oranges & Sardines Foundation, Norman Catts, the Commonwealth through the Australian National Commission for UNESCO and the Department of Planning, Environment & Heritage NSW.