• Nyikina Language and Culture Project 2004
• Establishment of Nyikina Inc. 2004
• Nyikina Cultural Centre 2005
• Social Action Research Projects
• Nyikina Cultural Activities recorded

Nyikina Language and Culture Project 2004

Madjulla Inc. was able to bring together a project team of cultural and technical experts. The history of colonisation in Australia has been such that English, Kriol and other Australian languages, especially Indigenous languages such as Walmajarri and Mangala have contaminated the Nyikina language and there are few children learning it as a first language. There is a strong feeling amongst Nyikina people that their language must not be allowed to disappear and since 2000 Nyikina people in the West Kimberley have been taking steps to learn how to read and write it.

Establishment of Nyikina Inc. 2004

Madjulla Inc. role was central to the establishment of Nyikina Inc. which was registered as a not for profit organisation under the Western Australian Incorporation Act (1987) in August 2004. The association was established to increase social cohesion and foster participation in community life for Nyikina people through contemporary Nyikina cultural activities.

top

Nyikina Cultural Centre 2005

Madjulla Inc. is working directly with the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley and the Western Australian Department of Planning and Infrastructure Regional Manager for the Kimberley to progress the proposal to excise the land to create a new reserve for the purpose and benefit of Nyikina people. The process is expected to take 3 months to complete. Madjulla Inc is seeking funding to engage a Project Manager to progress the formation of the committee to advise on the planning and sustainable development of the Nyikina Cultural Centre.

View large map of Nyikina Cultural Centre 79KB opens in new window

top

Social Action Research Projects

Madjulla Inc. has a proven track record in the following social action projects. Please contact Madjulla Inc. on Majala@wn.com.au for information on these projects.

• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Research and Development of the Derby Aboriginal Justice Plan, 2005.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Saying No Way to Family and community Violence Campaign in Partnership with ATSIC Malarabah Regional Council, 2004.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Nyikina Language and Cultural Project - Endangered Language Project, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, 2004
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., - Cultural Camps – Crime Prevention Strategy, Crime Prevention Unit, Perth, 2004.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Development Of A Culturally Applicable Approach To Aboriginal Mental Health Problems: From Assessment To Promotion Of Mental Health, University of Western Australia, Department of Psychiatry, Nedlands, 2003.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Evaluation of Cairns and Kalgoorlie Model of Family Violence Advocacy Project : In Partnership with the ATSIC Legal and Preventative Services, Sydney (NSW) January – February 2001.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Project Evaluation of Derby Family and Community (Domestic) Violence Pilot Project (WA): In Partnership with the National Crime Prevention (Canberra) November 2000 – November 2001.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Project Evaluation of Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Community Family Violence Project (WA): In Partnership with the Office of Women’s Affairs, Prime Minister and Cabinet (Canberra) October 2000 – October 2001
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., Pioneering the Development of an Indigenous Mental Health Paradigm: In Partnership with Centre for Mental Health Services Research and the University of Western Australia (Department of Psychiatry) Dec.1999-February 2000.
• Poelina, A., & Perdrisat, I., 1997, ‘Research and Develop Ngaanyatjarra Age Care Project-Ngaanyatjarra Council, Central Reserves Cross Border Region –WA, NT, SA’, Ngaanyatjarra Council, Alice Springs NT.

top

Nyikina Cultural Activities recorded

1. Going to the Billabong: The cultural protocol of going to the billabong, the waterholes located along the Fitzroy River requires a wide range of cultural knowledge and skills.

2. Windirri is the Nyikina word for long hair. It is the contemporary word used to describe spinning human hair into a hair belt to be used by Indigenous men for ceremonial purposes.

3. Overlanding is boning out a bullock/cow on a cattle station everyone eats meat so you go through a killer [bullock] every few weeks.

4. Cooking kangaroo tails. Tails are purchased locally however they come from outside the region as past culling programs have an enduring impact on reducing local bush tucker including kangaroos and other wild life.

top

download brochure for Nyikina Language and Culture Resource Kit (400kb)

(opens in new window)