Seminar: Yolŋu Education—Djambatj Dhukarr: Road to Excellence (3pm, 22 November)

Special Seminar Event: Faculty of Education & Indigenous Studies Unit (Onemda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing) 

Djambatj Dhukarr: Road to Excellence

Wednesday 22 November 3pm-4pm, Room 515.

Please register here by 21 November 2023.

Email Kristen Smith kristens@unimelb.edu.au or Bern Murphy bemurphy@unimelb.edu.au if you have any questions.

Distinguished Yolŋu elder, Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu,  will present with other teachers from the Yirrkala Bilingual School in Northeast Arnhem Land on their educational programs and approach to bilingual education.

Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu, a distinguished Yolŋu elder, and esteemed retired linguistic teacher at the Yirrkala Bilingual School in Northeast Arnhem Land, was appointed as the world’s second Yolŋu professor by the University of Melbourne in April 2023. Yalmay spent over four decades as a bilingual educator, during which time she cultivated a profound appreciation for the Yolŋu language, culture, and heritage among her students.

Throughout her career, Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu established herself as a champion of bilingual education, earning the moniker “bilingual warrior.” She steadfastly opposed government policies aimed at dismantling the hard-earned achievements of herself and her colleagues. When confronted with the challenge of teaching in English-only settings, Yalmay and her dedicated team stood their ground, preserving their unique Garma curriculum, teaching Yolŋu knowledge in the school.

Yalmay will be co-presenting with Yirrkala School Yolŋu team teachers Djawundil Maymuru, Mundatjngu Munuŋgurr, Shenay Thorne, Mulmulpa Munuŋgurr, Paula Gumana and Gamburruwuy Wunungmurra. Together, they will discuss their Djambantj Dhukarr (Road to Excellence), including their experiences and insights into the importance of bi-lingual education in Northeast Arnhem Land and the role they play in imparting Yolŋu knowledge via Yolŋu Matha to the children.