Members of the Parents and Learning team with Napranum Elders and community members at the launch of We Look, We Find in Weipa last week.
THE legacy of beloved Napranum Elder Thanakupi will live forever after the first children’s book published featuring her Thaynakwith language was launched at a special event last week.
More than 100 people attended the Weipa launch of We Look, We Find, a book about the importance of being on country and the animals that can be found there.
“The Elders were just so proud and thrilled,” said Parents and Learning program manager Chris Hanrahan.
“The book was written by the women and children, with the illustration backgrounds done by the women and drawings by the children.”
Ms Hanrahan said the community had expressed a desire to help revitalise their culture and the PAL program supported them to produce the book, which was published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
The book was influenced by the late community Elder Thanakupi, a renowned artist, educator, linguist and the last fluent Thaynakwith speaker.
Ms Hanrahan said it was hoped the new book would help keep her legacy alive.
“We are immensely proud to have supported the Napranum community to create and publish this remarkable book,” said Indigenous Literacy Foundation CEO Ben Bowen.
“Continuing Thanakupi’s legacy and keeping Thaynakwith alive for the next generation of speakers is an incredibly important undertaking and we offer our heartfelt congratulations to all involved.”
“There was a videographer at the launch and it’s going to be featured by the National Indigenous Literacy Foundation at the Sydney Opera House as well.”
The book is available to buy from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website.
