Talking books spread the word

The AMRRIC and Nganampa Health education program in the Anangu PItjanjatjara Yankunyjatjara Lands visited Mimili, Amata and Pukatja last week doing community and school recordings and collecting artwork for their bilingual community talking books and DVD. The books use the work and stories of local artists and photographs sourced in community, and local voiceovers. For example, Alan Wilson, who voice features on the Amata talking book and "Papa ini kutjupa kutjupa" talking book resources, completed the beautiful artwork depicting men and women hunting together with dingoes. The Mimili students are excited to have their voices on their talking book, as are their parents, and though not yet completed it has already been much passed around. The talking book will be used at the clinic to promote community health, and at the school to promote bilingual literacy in both parents and students. "Papa ini kutjupa kutjupa" is a resource to support Pitjanjatjara and English literacy both ways, and will be used throughout Pitjantjatjara speaking communities.

Download Papa ini kutjupa kutjupa Talking Book (PDF, 7.6 MB)

AMRRIC has helped create talking books in Anmatjerre, Luritja and Djambarrapungu, all with voiceovers recorded by local residents to ensure messages are delivered in the best dialects for effective communication.  Further talking books are also currently underway in the Barkly region and on Mornington Island in Queensland. Not only did the process itself lead to discussion about dog issues, the finished product is popular – local people are proud of their community’s work and love to listen to voices and look at photos of people they recognise. 

The books are funded the Remote Service Delivery program, the Advantage Family program, FaHCSIA’s Closing the Gap/MacDonnell Shire funding, and the NT Department of Justice Community Benefit Fund.