DJALKIRI YUṮA DHÄWU

It has been a while since we have sent out a Yuṯa Dhäwu (newsletter) and while we are excited to share what 2026 will look like for us, we wanted to take time to reflect on some of our highlights of 2025.

As we reflect on 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible strength and leadership of the Yolŋu communities that we are privileged to walk alongside. 2025 was a year of growth, connection, and powerful moments that remind us why this work matters so deeply.

AN ANIMATION IN A YOLŊU LANGUAGE!

Djinalam Djalkiriŋam ŋalma bayiŋ gurruṯumurru djäma bili gurruṯum dhaŋu djalkiri ŋanapiliŋgu bukmakku.  Gurruṯuyum yaka dhä-manapan ŋanapiliny Yolŋuny ga  ŋayiny bili ŋunha ŋayiyum yaka ḏäḻkum ŋanapiliŋgu ŋatha, wäyin ga gapu.

Nhäma ŋanapu Djalkiriwu djäma bala birrkayuna nhalpiyan ŋanapu ŋarru mayalimiŋgan  mä ŋalma ŋarru nyena ga djäma rrambaŋi ŋayaŋuyu latjuyu ga bitjana bili nhäma ga dhunupayumanmi gakalma ŋanapiliŋgu.

We are thrilled that we have completed our first animation to share six gakal’ (ways of working)! We worked with the Grow Love Project to create the animation based on the wärrkarr (onion lily).

The wärrkarr (onion lily) flower is a seasonal indicator that signals the right time to hunt certain bush foods.  The wärrkarr metaphor is about collaboration. It recognises that generative relationships are critical to meaningful engagement. The wärrkarr cycle is about regrowth. We know that connecting, relating and working together is an evolving process that requires commitment and trust.  The wärrkarr explains the importance of continued learning, sense making and our connection to each other. It is a reminder for us to stay present and connected.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND PRIORITIES

Djalkiri Foundation had a 12-month commitment to the Stronger Places Stronger People (SPSP) initiative from July 2024 to June 2025. Stronger Places, Stronger People (SPSP) is stewarded by the Australian Government in partnership with state and territory governments and 10 communities across Australia. It seeks to improve the lives of children and their families by investing in community priorities and community-led partnerships to -design solutions that address local needs and aspirations.

We facilitated a two-day forum – the first day was a Yolŋu Forum attended by over 40 participants and the seconded day included service providers and organisations with over 70 participants from 26 different organisations.

A number of priorities were surfaced at the Community Forum. The image below are the top 6 themes that were discussed in detail.

It was reiterated that Yolŋu need to be guiding the conversations and leading the ‘solutions’. It was raised that Yolŋu approaches to addressing priorities need to include Yolŋu rom (law) and processes such as Galtha, all of these are underpinned by gurruṯu (relationships). It was also identified that Balanda (non-Yolŋu) need to develop their capability and this requires a consistent regional approach to ‘cultural safety’.

YOLŊU LANGUAGES

The Community Forum validated what we know and what communities have articulated to governments for decades – there needs to be locally developed approaches that support Yolŋu to lead, learn and participate authentically. Language is a big part of enabling this to happen and we have really consolidated how we will do this.

Djalkiri is committed to supporting Yolŋu languages and we are strengthening the way we do this. We are in the process of developing an approach to clan language revitalisation as well as first language literacy development. We want to create opportunities for Yolŋu to be able to access community directed learning in their own languages.

While we are committed to a strengths based approach and challenge the deficit assumptions applied to communities like ours, it is also necessary to address the truth that many of our languages are endangered. It makes the language work we are doing, even more relevant and important. You can read more about Language Hotspots here.

TOP END LANGUAGES

Top End Language groups came together in June 2025 to discuss the importance of bilingual education, the language work that is happening in communities and the next steps that are needed to continue and strengthen this work. It was an inspiring 3 days of connection, solidarity and clarity.

You can find more information about the Forum on the Djalkiri website.

Another experience that has inspired us to create a clan revitalisation program was the workshop held in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), a collaboration between First Languages Australia, Pertame School and the Salish from Canada. This method that brought back endangered languages has inspired us to consider how we can do similar work in our communities.

CELEBRATIONS!

Often we are often so focused on progressing the work that we don’t spend enough time celebrating and acknowledging the progress we are making. In November 2025 Rarrtjiwuy was awarded the Menzies Medallion, an award that acknowledges individuals and groups who have made a considerable contribution to health, particularly in the Northern Territory. The award celebrated Rarrtjiwuy’s outstanding dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities across the Northern Territory.

We are feeling very grateful for the support we have to continue to bring our work out into the community.
Watch this space for more exciting things to come!

Nhäma Yalala!

The Djalkiri Team.