Bundjalung Dialect Language Program

Listen to Tim Ives address to the Byron College graduating students of 2009 (4.3MB).

Tim Ives leads the Bundjalung Language program. In December 2009 Tim visited a number of Bundjalung communities in preparation for the workshops. Here is an excerpt from the report on his trip.

“We went to the Tabulam (Jabulam) community to talk to Poppy Harry Walker, who is a strong language man. We told him our College’s vision of holding Bundjalung workshops at Mullumbimby and Byron Bay.  He was very supportive; in fact he is willing to come from Tabulam to teach at the workshops. The language is strong on the Mission with the older ones, especially the Walker families.

It brought back memories to me of the late Uncle Mick Walker, who taught me Bundjalung when I was a younger man. It was refreshing for me to speak language with the elders and to be not only understood, but corrected on pronunciation. I have a lot more to learn. Other elders from Tabulam very supportive were Harold Avery, Harold Connors and Bruce Walker. We also consulted Minginbul Elders Mervyn Williams and Patricia Green.

We made contact with Artie Williams from Fingal, who is strong in language. He is interested in helping us.

We feel that the Bundjalung Language needs to be taught urgently to as many people as possible. Language is what defines one culture from another. Lose your ability to speak your language and the rest of your culture will follow.”

For further info on this exciting program, email: admin@byroncollege.org.au