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y separately published work icon Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word selected work   life story  
Alternative title: This Is My Word
Issue Details: First known date: 1999... 1999 Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'A beautifully illustrated account of the life of Magdalene Williams of the Nyul Nyul people. Raised in the confines of Beagle Bay mission in the Kimberley, she was nevertheless exposed to her traditional culture through her Elders. Magdalene's account of the coming of the missionaries, and the destruction of Law and culture is interwoven with the richness and diversity of her Nyul Nyul stories.' (Source: Publisher's website)

Exhibitions

8705502
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Notes

  • Dedication: This book is dedicated to my husband Lawrence Williams, all my children and grandchildren, my sisters Leonie Webster and Biddy Kelly, my brother Kevin Kelly, my cousin Steven Victor, and their husbands, wives and children. And to all my Nyulnyul ancestors, including Felix and Madeleine, Abraham and Sarah, Johanna and Isaac, and the Victor family.

    One of the greatest gifts, apart from my stories, that my people left with me is my Nyulnyul language. This language is dying today and only a few people can speak it properly. I want to leave my stories and the list of language words and phrases behind for my family, so that they will benefit from my teachings and retain some aspects of their Nyulnyul identity.

  • A selection/collection of interrelated short stories and poetry.
  • Contents indexed selectively.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Broome, Kimberley area, North Western Australia, Western Australia,:Magabala Books , 1999 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
My Familyi"I was born at", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 9-11)
These Memoriesi"My grandfather", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 12)
Nyulnyul Peoplei"Long, long ago in Ngarlan", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 17-19)
Traditional Law and Way of Lifei"We were told that", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 21-24)
Good Hunters and Fishermeni"The coastal people lived", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 28)
Enough for Their Familiesi"Women were also", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 33-34)
Stone Trapsi"It was the", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 38)
Bush Medicinesi"The people liked", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 42-43)
Important Placesi"The sea was an", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 53-55)
The Boogarrigarr Storiesi"My brother and sister", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 73-74)
We Left the Missioni"The years passed", Magdalene Williams , single work poetry (p. 92-92)
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Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Language: English , Aboriginal Nyulnyul
Notes:
Written mainly in English with Nyulnyul words and phrases incorporated into the text.
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Writers on Country BlackWords : Writers on Country Anita Heiss , 2015 single work criticism
— Appears in: The BlackWords Essays 2015; (p. 3) The BlackWords Essays 2019;

In this essay Heiss not only illustrates the breakdown of stereotypes of what Indigenous relationship with land is, but she showcases the wealth of literature being penned nationally by writers who express the diversity of their experiences of 'country'. Whether it be their traditional lands, places they have chosen to relocate to; those that they or their families were removed to; places that people call home and/or connect to; and those who embrace a physical landscape. An historical, social and political space that renders them specifically and culturally significant to individuals, families and community.
Untitled Andrea Mitchell , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Studies , no. 64 2000; (p. 249-250)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Ngay Janijirr Ngank Anita Heiss , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 60 no. 1 2000; (p. 232-233)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Untitled Helen Woodall , 1999 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , November vol. 43 no. 4 1999; (p. 40)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Untitled Clare Renner , 1999 single work review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Summer vol. 7 no. 4 1999; (p. 47-48)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Untitled Helen Woodall , 1999 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , November vol. 43 no. 4 1999; (p. 40)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Kimberley Woman Keeps Her Language Alive 1999 single work review
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 8 September no. 209 1999; (p. 28)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Reviews J. Wheelright , 1999 single work review
— Appears in: Studio : A Journal of Christians Writing , Spring no. 76 1999; (p. 36-37)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Ngay Janijirr Ngank Anita Heiss , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 60 no. 1 2000; (p. 232-233)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Untitled Clare Renner , 1999 single work review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Summer vol. 7 no. 4 1999; (p. 47-48)
— Review of Ngay Janijirr Ngank : This Is My Word Magdalene Williams , 1999 selected work life story
Writers on Country BlackWords : Writers on Country Anita Heiss , 2015 single work criticism
— Appears in: The BlackWords Essays 2015; (p. 3) The BlackWords Essays 2019;

In this essay Heiss not only illustrates the breakdown of stereotypes of what Indigenous relationship with land is, but she showcases the wealth of literature being penned nationally by writers who express the diversity of their experiences of 'country'. Whether it be their traditional lands, places they have chosen to relocate to; those that they or their families were removed to; places that people call home and/or connect to; and those who embrace a physical landscape. An historical, social and political space that renders them specifically and culturally significant to individuals, families and community.
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (7)
Last amended 1 Jul 2015 13:40:06
Subjects:
  • Beagle Bay, Kimberley area, North Western Australia, Western Australia,
Common subjects:
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