Djelk homeland school initiative

Bi-cultural education

Educating future custodians in the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area

Traditional Owners of the Djelk Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) have expressed an ambition for independent, bi-cultural homeland schools—similar to those serving the Warddeken IPA. This journey began in 2022 with a regional consultation process that led to Traditional Owners and senior community leaders establishing a new organisation, the Homeland School Company (HSC).

October 14th, 2023

Djelk IPA

Bawinanga Rangers Homeland School Company Nawarddeken Academy Limited

Orphaned Country in very remote parts of Australia is considered one of the biggest threats to conserving biodiversity and passing down traditional knowledge to the next generation. While KKT was established for the protection of the environment and culture in West and Central Arnhem Land, our first fundraising project was to support the vision of Nawarddeken Traditional Owners to secure full-time, bi-cultural and community-led education for their children. Today, the Nawarddeken Academy operates across the Warddeken IPA where more than 60 children can live and learn on their homelands from early education to high school.

In the neighbouring area, Traditional Owners in the Djelk IPA have seen this success and would also like to secure a better future for their next generation. Here, children living in remote homeland communities are taught for one or two days per week at best, but often have no schooling for months. For example, the first day in 2023 that a registered teacher visited the community of Gamradi was 18 May, more than 15 weeks after the commencement of Term 1. Moreover, the old schoolhouses in this region have largely fallen into disrepair which means they are unsuitable places for learning with no electricity or running water, excessive heat and insufficient light for reading and writing.

In 2022, KKT funded a consultation process which also involved the development of a feasibility study and strategic implementation plan, and led to the establishment of the Homeland School Company. Now, KKT and the Homeland School Company aim to bring full-time, bi-cultural, community-owned education to the Djelk homelands. Djelk Traditional Owners have decided to begin by establishing three schools: at Bolkdjam/ Buluhkaduru, Gamardi and Gochan Jiny Jirra/Cadell communities. In due course, each will seek registration as an independent school which will ensure that the majority of their ongoing operational funding will be provided by the federal government.

Gamardi

Gamardi is 96 kilometres from the closest town of Maningrida. Road access is only possible during the dry season and is approximately 75 minutes driving time. Around 45 people live here, primarily speaking the Djinang language. The local environment is characterised by gently undulating sandplains with tall open woodland. It is adjacent to coastal floodplains which are inundated seasonally, containing grasslands and sedgelands.

Bolkdjam and Buluhkaduru

Two communities located beside one another, Bolkdjam and Buluhkaduru are 57 kilometres from the closest town of Maningrida, which road access possible for most of the year via a 45-minute drive. Around 26 people live here permanently, with many more visiting as often as possible from Maningrida. The primary language is Kune. The local environment is characterised by alluvial floodplains and gently undulating sand plains with open woodlands of eucalyptus, cypress and paperbark.

Gochan Jiny Jirra

Also known as Cadell, this community is 38 kilometres from the closest town of Maningrida with good road access. Gochan Jiny Jirra is accessible all year via a 35-minute drive. With a permanent population of around 33 people and many more seasonal visitors, the primary language where is Gun-nartpa. The local environment is similar to Bolkdjam and Buluhkaduru with alluvial floodplains and gently undulating sand plains leading to open woodlands of eucalyptus, cypress and paperbark.

In order to establish these schools, the Homeland School Company has asked for support to set up its foundations: engage key staff members, apply for land use agreements, conduct Board meetings and governance training, and develop resources for place-based Indigenous Language and Culture curricula. Following this, the organisation needs support to carry out infrastructure renovations and upgrades, set up essential services such as power and water, accommodate teachers, secure classroom technology and resources, and cover registration costs. With this, it can apply for registration which will bring ongoing operational funding.

KKT is actively fundraising to secure the future of education in the Djelk IPA.

If you would like to support the Homeland School Company, contact us at mail@kkt.org.au.

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