The Program
Walking Our Songlines with Language is a healing journey of reconnection to language for Coota Girls Survivors, their descendants and the broader First Nations community.
For First Nations peoples, language and culture are intrinsically interwoven. First Nations languages are embedded with ancestral knowledge of culture and Country. For Stolen Generations Survivors and their descendants, past policies of forced removal and assimilation have had a devastating impact on the intergenerational sharing and maintaining of First Nations languages. We invite you on our journey of reconnection, to Walk Our Songlines with Language.
The Flashcards for the Walking Our Songlines with Language was created in partnership with the Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation (CGAC) and 33Creative.
From Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation
“For me, reconnection to my culture and language is my responsibility. Not only for my children, but for myself and my community. As a Survivor of forced removals and institutionalisation, my grandmother Aunty Lorraine Darcy Peeters was punished for speaking language and practicing culture as a child. I imagine the Aborigines Protection Act (1909-1969), which sanctioned the forced removal of any First Nations child at any time for any reason, as a wildfire. Its sole purpose was to eradicate all in its path. However, like the trees, our roots are strong and spiritually connected to this land. We have resisted and continue to thrive after the flames. Reclamation and revitalisation of our Language is an integral part of this regrowth process. This project has been so incredibly healing.”
– Meagan Gerrard (Wailwan and Gamilaroi),
Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation, Project and Communications Manager
Source: Photos provided by Department of Aboriginal Affairs NSW (cootagirls.org.au)
The History
In 1912, the Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls (1912-1969) was established on Wiradjuri Land as a training institution for First Nations girls who had been forcibly removed from their families and communities under the Aborigines Protection Act (1909-1969). Once isolated far away from family and community, First Nations girls (as young as 2 years old) were brainwashed and trained to become domestic servants/slaves in wealthy non-First Nations households.
As children, Coota Girls Survivors experienced a process of forced assimilation, systematic racial discrimination designed to remove their First Nations identity and connection to kin, Country and culture. This included facing severe punishment for speaking their first languages or practicing culture in any way.
For First Nations peoples, language and culture are intrinsically linked. First Nations languages are embedded with knowledge of culture, Country, and ancestors. Past policies of forced removal and assimilation have had a devastating impact on the intergenerational sharing and maintaining of First Nations languages.
Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation (CGAC) was founded in 2013 by a courageous group of Coota Girls Survivors. CGAC aims to support Coota Girls Survivors and their descendants to heal from the associated impacts of forced removal and assimilation.
In 2021, CGAC launched Walking Our Songlines with Language Program which aims to deliver range of projects focused on reconnecting Coota Girls Survivors and their descendants with their own language.
The Flashcards
You have 24 words to learn in language. Each card has an illustration, the word in English and language translations with phonetic breakdown. Breaking down each word into sound syllables will help you pronounce the new words. For example, in Wiradyuri, Emu is dinawan – pronounced din-uh-one.
You have two of each card and they are divided into categories – People (green), Animals (yellow), Country (blue). This is to help you play the games on the instructions and to create your own games!
Artist Spotlight: Joanne Cassady
As a professional artist, Joanne uses her skills as a means of education for cultural awareness. Joanne’s
artwork telling the story of the girls from the 12 different language groups journeying to Coota Girls Home is close to her heart, with her maternal connections to Coota Girls. Joanne hopes that all descendants can deepen their connection to culture and language through these resources.
“As a winner of the 2017 National NAIDOC poster competition for the theme “Our Languages Matter” and as a descendant of Coota Girls and the Stolen Generations, I was honoured to create an artwork representing the language project. As Aboriginal people and having what was taken from our families, I am truly grateful for our Elders who were able to keep our (Wiradjuri) language alive. I’m grateful we are able to pass this on to the next generation. Taking back what was stolen. Our Voice.”
– Joanne Cassady (Wiradjuri), Balgarra Designs, Founder & Artist
Our Purpose
Culture is Life is an Aboriginal-led Not-For-Profit organisation. We believe that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have the right to thrive and flourish; strong in knowing who they are, where they come from and who they are connected to.
All our efforts deepen young people’s experiences of culture as protection through thoughtfully designed, simple to access and easy to use policies, projects, resources and campaigns.
We join together with others to create meaningful lives for all our young people with a special emphasis on those experiencing vulnerability and who are at risk of self-harm and suicide.
From 33Creative
“We are very proud to have worked on such a significant project. Thank you to Culture is Life and Coota Girls for selecting us to work with you on this. We hope to continue to revitalise language and culture, and celebrate our people through this project and more.”
– Mayrah Sonter (Wiradyuri), 33Creative, Director
Acknowledgement
Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation acknowledges and deeply appreciates the support of the many First Nations Language Speakers and Knowledge Holders who have contributed to the creation of these resources. We express gratitude for giving our Stolen Generations Coota Girls Survivors and descendants and the broader First Nations community the opportunity to reconnect with Language.
Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation recognises and respects Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights and acknowledges that all ICIP rights in this resource belong with those First Nations Language Speakers and Knowledge Holders, communities and Language Groups who have shown their support for Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation to include their ICIP in this resource.
We acknowledge the many variations in the spelling, pronunciation and use. Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation does not claim that the language included in these resources represents the only way and we respect and acknowledge that Language Knowledge may differ for each speaker.
Sign up for our newsletter
The 2025 Fellows just wrapped an incredible week in Garramilla on Larrakia Country, a week of reflection, storytelling, healing and deep connection with community and Country.
From Uncle Dr Richard Fejo’s Saltwater Ceremony, to SEWB learnings with Mark Nannup, values grounding with Aunty Steff, storytelling with Gen Grieves, visits to Children’s Ground and Minramana Community, and a beautiful bush medicine workshop with Aunty Cheryl, every day was packed with culture, growth and purpose.
We closed with a powerful circle led by Dr Carmen Cubillo and heartfelt ‘Who You?’ presentations that brought the cohort even closer.
Huge love to all our First Nations hosts and facilitators for welcoming us so generously.
❤️🤎🖤
Join award-winning filmmaker Rachel Perkins and esteemed historian Henry Reynolds at the launch of The Australian Wars book tomorrow night. After sold out launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, the conversation now heads to The Australian War Memorial on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra.
Rachel has long called for First Nations people who died in Frontier Wars conflicts – as well as colonists who were killed – to be officially recognised by this institution ❤️🖤🤎
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, this ground breaking book was conceived by Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series of the same name, produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
Image credit: Dylan River
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray
📚 Launching The Australian Wars Book!
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in creating The Australian Wars book, being launched around the country this week!
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, the book was conceived by the incredible Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
The book builds on the meticulous research conducted for the documentary series, and covers Frontier Wars battles across all the states and territories. It’s a hugely valuable resource for history teachers, and essential reading for all Australians to progress truth-telling in this country. ❤️🖤🤎
Look out for launch events happening in:
Gadigal Country (Sydney)
Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country (Melbourne)
Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) ... and hopefully more to come!
🔍Look it up! Don’t miss this important work.
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray Henry Reynolds
Don’t miss this! Tomorrow night in Naarm!
We’re so proud that our Education Consultant and Fullaship Elder, Aunty Stephanie Armstrong OAM, will be in conversation with Mervyn Bishop and Tim Dobbyn to launch the illustrated biography; Black, White + Colour!
Mervyn Bishop took one of the most significant photos in Australian history: Gough Whitlam pouring a handfull of sand into the hands of Vincent Lingiari. As Australia’s first Aboriginal press photographer, his story is a must-hear.
Still a few tickets left - book via trybooking!
Avenue Bookstore, Elsternwick. It’s FREE!
Leyla is a proud Noongar woman who works to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Victoria. From advocating for strength-based mentoring programs to representing young mob in key policy forums, her work is deeply rooted in community and cultural strength.
She is a graduate of the 2022 Fullaship Program, a three-time Melbourne Fashion Week model, and has represented Australia at the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference. Having overcome immense adversity, Leyla is committed to breaking cycles and creating spaces for young people to see their worth, pursue their dreams, and step into opportunities that were never designed for them. Above all, she carries forward the values of love, care, and integrity instilled in her by her Nan, whose legacy she continues to honor in all that she does.
📣The school year is flying, but there’s still time to bring our 2025 NAIDOC Education Resources into your classroom!
Here’s a peak at some engaging activities for Early Learning to Year 10, aligned with this year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.’ Designed to be used all year round!
❤️💛🖤
Download Now: Find the official resources (developed by Culture is Life, National NAIDOC Committee, and ABC Education) on our website.
Share Your Voice: Used them already? We want to hear your experience! Complete our quick feedback survey.
🔗 Links in bio!
Professional development webinars for teaching The Australian Wars are now live on our YouTube channel! 📺
Access some of our best discussions anytime and share these essential resources with your colleagues ✨
Deepen your understanding and boost your confidence with Rachel Perkins and our team of Aboriginal educators! 🫶🏽
🔗 Link in bio!
Bek is a proud Wakaya woman, born and raised on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong. In recent years, she has lived and worked across Darwin, Brisbane, and now the Gold Coast.
At the heart of Bek’s work is a deep commitment to using her voice to empower others—especially young people—to embrace their power, identity, and creativity through the mediums that speak to them.
Fullaship Expressions of Interest Now Open!
👉🏽Link in bio
