KALA

written and illustrated by Birdiya Waangkiny Elders Group Bunbury

djArdAK

Nidja djardak manatj

This is white cockatoo

djendAL

Nidja djendal yongka

This is grey kangaroo

moorn

Nidja moorn wardong

This is black crow

mirdA

Nidja mirda kwondong

This is red quandong

yoont

Nidja yoont ngaangk

This is yellow sun

djedAri

Nidja djedari dwert

This is brown dog

nodjAm

Nidja nodjam kooboolong

This is green frog

wooyAn

Nidja wooyan karil

This is blue crab

mirdA-wooyAn

Nidja mirda-wooyan djet

This is purple flower

mirdA-yoont

Nidja mirda-yoont djildjit

This is orange fish

mirdA-djArdAK

Nidja mirda-djardak djakal-ngakal

This is pink galah

NOONGAR REGIONS MAP

WARDANDI MIYA-K KAADADJINY ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

Noongar language learning hub of the Southwest

NADJI NADJI

WADJARI

NYOONGA

KORENG KANIYANG

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

VOWELS

a = as in the word u p

aa = as in the word c

e = as in the word te n

i = as in the word b in

o = as in the word o n

oo = as in the word b

CONSONANTS

b = between English b and p, like p in s pin

bw = similar to bw ana (Swahili word for boss)

d = between English d and t, like the t in s t ring

dj = as in ju dg e

dw = similar to twitch

k = between English g and k, like the k in s kull

kw = like quiet

-l = as in the word l amp

-ly = like the word million (never quickly)

m = as in the word m an

n = as in the word nil

= as in the word si ng

= as in the words o ni on and nuisance

= between English b and p, like the p in s pin

= as in the words r an or ca r ol

= as in the word ca rd

(saying d with the tip of the tongue turned back)

= as in the word ca rt

(saying t with the tip of the tongue turned back)

= as in the word whi rl

(saying l with the tip of the tongue turned back)

= as in the word to rn

(saying n with the tip of the tongue turned back)

= between English d and t, like the t in s t ring

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Kaya nganyang kwerl PHYLLIS BENNELL (née Wallam). My father, a Noongar man, was born in the southwest in Noongar Country and my mother was born in the midwest in Yamatji Country. My father spoke the Noongar fluently when I was a child. Today, I have relearned my father’s language and want to encourage everyone to revive their languages for future generations.

Kaya nganyang SANDRA NEBRO (née Ford). I was born in York, WA. I grew up and worked in Bunbury, WA. To become a teacher of my culture and Noongar families, I study and do language, music, and Noongar family research looking for my family.

My name is JOANNE UGLE . I was born in Bunbury, WA. I love our native wildlife and I have always enjoyed art. It was a lot of fun to be part of this project. I think it’s important for us to learn our language to reconnect with our culture.

Kaya nganyang kwerl GLORIA DANN . Known to my family as Nora. I have taught Noongar language for over 40 years as a Noongar language teacher. My parents are both from the wheat-belt of Noongar Country. I have connection to Wardandi Country through my mother’s family. I found language has connected me to my Country and my people.

Kaya nganyang kwerl ROSLYN KHAN . I am a proud Noongar/ Yamatji yoka. I am a mother and grandmother. My grandmother’s family on my dad's side originated from India. I was born in Yarloop, not far from the next town Harvey where I grew up. In 2000 I moved to Bunbury situated on Wardandi boodja. In 2017 I first started my Noongar language journey that gave more connection to my culture and Country. My dream is to pass it on down to my children and grandchildren. Yanga (Thank you).

CHARMAINE COUNCILLO R is the founder and CEO of the Wardandi Miya-k Kaadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation, a language hub based in Bunbury in Wardandi Country. Charmaine’s language journey began in 1999, teaching for many years. Her dream is to see the Noongar language of land to grow in Wardandi Country.

My name is TERYLE COLLARD, born and bred in Wardandi Country (Bunbury). I’m enjoying Wardandi Birdiya Language classes. Proud Noongar yoka.

My name is MARJORIE UGLE . I was born in Fremantle and moved to Bunbury after I married. I am artist and being involved in art since I was a child. Since we lost our language years ago, I am now trying to relearn it again with my art. I encourage those to use language in the arts.

ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS

LITERACY FOUNDATION

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote Communities across Australia. We are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.

In 2024 the ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s or young adult literature.

First published in 2025 by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation Gadigal Country

Level 17/207 Kent Street

Sydney NSW 2000 ilf.org.au

Sandra Nebro, Joanna Ugle, Marjorie Ugle, Robert Gates,2025

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations) in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Cataloguing-in-Publication details are available from the National Library of Australia

www.trove.nla.gov.au

ISBN 9781923179400

Typesetting and design by Mika Tabata and Holly Doran

Printed in China by RR Donnelley Asia

Printing Solutions Limited

This book is in:

Community: Bunbury, WA

Country: Wardandi

First Language: Noongar

Learn all of the colours of the rainbow, and where they appear in nature around you, in both Noongar and English!

Kala is a beautifully illustrated book that was written by local Bunbury Elders as a language resource for younger generations.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Community Publishing program supports remote Communities in leading and publishing book projects in their own languages.

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