Pama Language Centre and the Aurukun Shire Council jointly held the Life Stories: Language, Art and Memory Workshop in Aurukun between 21 November and 2 December.
The Workshop was developed by Zuzana Orme (Manager, Chivaree Centre, Home and Community Care Centre), Gina Allain (Artist/Art Therapist) and Louise Ashmore (Linguist, PLC) in collaboration with clients of the Chivaree Centre.
It provided a space for community members to reflect upon and record—through language documentation, oral language recordings, and paintings—aspects of their own personal histories that they wished to pass onto future generations.
These personal histories will be developed into a series of resources, which will be accessible to clients of the Chivaree Centre, as well as their families. This will include, for instance, a Life Stories DVD.
Through the Workshop, participants were able to contribute to the maintenance and revitalisation of the Wik-Mungkan, Wik-Ngathan, Wik-Alken and Kugu Uwanh languages, which has profound significance for future generations.