About Us

About Us

Gilaywara Maeingoongea

Where our core mission is to empower communities in the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages. Proudly supported by the Department of Communications and the Arts, we have established a dynamic platform that serves as a nexus for contributors to share their cultural treasures while retaining control over their linguistic heritage.
At the heart of our initiative is a collective endeavor hosted by REDI.E, representing a commitment to fostering language revival and preservation. We recognise the intrinsic value of Indigenous languages as repositories of cultural identity, wisdom, and resilience. Our collaborative platform not only provides a space for communities to showcase their linguistic richness but also ensures that they actively steer the narrative, maintaining autonomy in the representation and preservation of their linguistic and cultural legacies.

CULTURAL EMPOWERMENT

Gilaywara Maeingoongea values the empowerment of communities, allowing them to actively participate in the preservation and maintenance of Indigenous languages.

COLLABORATION

Collaboration is an integral value, as the project is a collective endeavor that welcomes contributions from community members and groups.

PRESERVATION AND REVIVAL

The core mission is centered on the preservation and revival of Indigenous languages. This reflects a deep commitment to the cultural heritage and linguistic diversity of the communities served by the project.

YUWAALARAAY

KUNUNURRA

HEALTH PILOT

Gilaywara Maeingoongea

Logo Meaning

Our logo holds both practical and metaphorical significance, symbolising elements that are part of our surroundings but often remain beyond our full understanding. These elements were crucial for our ancestors’ survival, and they continue to hold importance in our lives as we grow, both within school communities and throughout adulthood.
Learning is a lifelong journey that never ends, and this program offers us an opportunity to carry forward the knowledge and principles of our elders. These teachings guide us through the complexities of life. The language program’s name in Brewarrina is a practical and metaphorical representation of our journey in learning and applying our ancestral language.
The names “Gilaywara” and “Maeingoongea” were chosen for specific reasons. “Gilaywara” represents our need for support, much like the wild banana vine requires a parent tree to climb and thrive. In this context, “Maeingoongea” symbolises the parent tree, supporting our growth in understanding both academic knowledge and the wisdom of the bush. The name “Maeingoongea” is inspired by the flower of the wild banana fruit, symbolising the convergence of the mind and heart, which blossoms through the process of learning.
The second word, “Maeingoongea,” embodies our ancestral language, pre-dating English. We introduce basic words and phrases in our language, presented visually and in written form. It is designed for daycares, preschools, and primary schools. We introduce four words at a time, following the traditional kinship structure of our elders, which expands and deepens as we progress through life. The learning process entails initially explaining everyday objects in English, and broadening our comprehension by delving into our ancestral language.