"We named this project Ngawurramangajirri (we care for each other). We are helping our people to keep our culture strong, respect each other and look after ourselves and others, our land and our creators, Purrukupali and his mother, Muntakala.” - Cathy Pumuralimawu Stassi, Tiwi elder.
This project has resulted in the first Tiwi to English phrase book about mental health and wellbeing, which is a resource describing mental health and wellbeing terms. This project grew out of the identified need for young people to develop stronger Tiwi language skills, and be able to express their feelings and needs using Tiwi.
The majority of content within this dictionary, occurred within seven workshops of four- to six-hours duration, held between May and September 2019. Between five and fifteen Elders with an extensive knowledge of Tiwi, were present at each workshop and worked together, through long discussions and storytelling, to gain adequate meaning behind each term. Health professionals were present at each workshop to provide plain English explanations for interpretation.
The team:
Chief investigators:
- Josie Povey
- AM Puruntatameri
- Cathy Pumuralimawu Stassi
- Dr Michelle Sweet
- Associate Professor Anne Lowell
- Professor Tricia Nagel
- Associate Professor Fiona Shand
- Dr Kylie Dingwall
Project manager:
Contact person:
Project dates:
January 2019 - July 2020