Joeys Yarning Space 

We acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians, 

past and present of this land of the Aniawan, Banbai, Dunghatte, 

Jukambal, Kambawal, Weraera, Kamilaroi, Ngoogabrul and Gumbaynggir as acknowledged by Armidale Lands Council, people who long before us lived, 

loved and raised their children on this land. 

We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families 

in our community and acknowledge their deep physical 

and spiritual connections to the land.

THE GAMILARAAY LANGUAGE

Gamilaraay, also spelled Kamilaroi, is an Australian Aboriginal language that was spoken over a vast area of north-central New South Wales when Europeans began colonising Australia. Gamilaraay country extended from as far south as Murrurundi on the Great Dividing Range, to Tamworth, Narrabri, Moree, Boggabilla, Mungindi, Collarenebri, Walgett and Gunnedah.

The name Gamilaraay consists of two parts: gamil meaning 'no' and araay meaning 'having', that is 'the people who have gamil for no'. This method of naming people after their word for 'no' is widespread throughout New South Wales and Victoria; for example, the western neighbours of the Gamilaraay, the Yuwaalaraay, say waal for 'no'.

https://www.dnathan.com/language/gamilaraay/dictionary

Welcome to Country

Having a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country as a standard practice in events recognises the place of Indigenous people as the first custodians of this land, promotes awareness of the history and culture of Indigenous people and formally acknowledges Indigenous people’s ongoing connection to the land.

Here we have Lewis reading a welcome to country in traditional language, by teaching the next generation traditional language, it keeps culture alive, with our stories, our history and our future.