Beautifully written by First Nations women on Gurindji country where the fight for equal wages began. This book passionately expresses the stories told by strong women about their history and culture. A must read!
—Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Yanyuwa Nation, Senator for the Northern Territory
Gurindji country is located in the southern Victoria River in the Northern Territory of Australia. Gurindji people became well known in the 1960s and 1970s due to their influence on Australian politics and the Indigenous land rights movement. They were instrumental in gaining equal wages for Aboriginal cattle station employees and they were also the first Aboriginal group to recover control of their traditional lands.
In Karu, Gurindji women describe their child-rearing practices. Some have a spiritual basis, while others are highly practical in nature, such as the use of bush medicines. Many Gurindji ways of raising children contrast with non-Indigenous practices because they are deeply embedded in an understanding of country and family connections. This book celebrates children growing up Gurindji and honours those Gurindji mothers, grandmothers, assistant teachers and health workers who dedicate their lives to making that possible.
Karu: Growing Up Gurindji shares the cultural knowledge, language and experiences of some extraordinary women and their roles as matriarchs, aunties, sisters and health workers. Karu gives new meaning to the phrase ‘bedtime stories’ with Dreamtime stories about Gurindji country, its creatures, and the morals followed to live a rich life. This book, accompanied by striking photos and artwork, is not only a gift to mothers, but everyone who values children.
—Dr Anita Heiss, Wiradjuri Nation, author and Professor of Communications, University of Queensland
About the Authors
Violet Wadrill is a senior Gurindji and Malngin cultural custodian. She has worked extensively with linguists on the documentation of her language. Violet also paints and she has two works touring nationally as part of the exhibition Still in my Mind. Violet was a finalist in the 2018 National Not-For-Profit Digital Technology Award.
Biddy Wavehill Yamawurr is a senior Gurindji cultural custodian who has been instrumental in the development of language and visual arts projects. Biddy has
created designs for the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre (2011) and represented Karungkarni Arts at Megalo Printmaking Studios (2013). Her artworks are touring nationally with Still in my Mind.
Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal is a senior ceremony woman. Along with Ronnie Wavehill and Dandy Danbayarri, she has worked alongside linguists and musicologists recording classical Gurindji songs. This work has culminated in a book and documentary Wajarra: Songs from the Stations (2018). Topsy also paints and carves artefacts through Karungkarni Arts.
Felicity Meakins is a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland who specialises in the documentation of Australian Indigenous languages including Gurindji. She co-compiled the Bilinarra, Gurindji and Malngin Plants and Animals (2012) and Gurindji to English Dictionary (2013) with Gurindji elders, and co-edited Yijarni (2016) with Erika Charola.
