A partnership between Redland Libraries and the State Library of Queensland will provide local youngsters with an insight into Quandamooka storytelling by distributing 700 First 5 Forever (F5F) Jandai Literacy Bags.
The initiative was launched by Redland City Mayor Karen Williams at an event with local Aboriginal author, artist and language advocate Dr Sandra Delaney at Cleveland Library on 5 December.
Mayor Karen Williams said the bags featured an image by Quandamooka artist Shara Delaney and contained a copy of Dr Sandra Delaney’s dual-language picture book Whale Dreaming: Bibunla Yalingbila accompanied by an English-Jandai translation of the F5F key words talk, play, read and sing.
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“The bags have been funded by a grant from the State Library and support the F5F’s primary goal of supporting children’s language and literacy development,” Cr Williams said.
“We thank the State Library of Queensland for recognising the value of connecting our youngest residents with wonderful stories like Dr Delaney’s tale of whale migration past North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah),” she said.
“Whale Dreaming: Bibunla Yalingbila is a gentle and engaging story of friendship that reflects the Quandamooka people’s connection with sea and country while promoting their Aboriginal language of Jandai.
“Seeing our youngest community members become acquainted with the language, listening to the story and trying out the Jandai words for themselves is delightful.
“The artwork on the bag is from another of Dr Delaney’s stories – The Story of the Rainbow – which is also included inside.
“These bags will activate a program of awareness about Jandai that will stretch more broadly across families, and reinforce our city’s commitment to inclusiveness and recognition of our Quandamooka connection.”
The Jandai Literacy Bags will be distributed by Redland Libraries to children aged 0-5 years who have previously attended an F5F activity or become new library members.
This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through State Library of Queensland.
