Papalu Apparr-Kari - Home of Language PDF Print E-mail
THE Barkly Region in the Northern Territory covers an area the size ofVictoria and extends from Tennant Creek northeast to the Gulf and east to the Queensland border.

Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation is a title that comes from the Warumungu nation. It means 'home of language'. In total there are sixteen dialects of language spoken in the Barkly Region. These are; Warumungu, Warlpiri,Warlmanpa, Kaititj, Alyawarr, Wanbaya, Waanyi, Mara, Garrawa, Kudanji,Wakaya, Yanyuwa, Binbinga, Ngarnga, Mudburra and Jingili.

Papulu Apparr-Kari aims to maintain and preserve these languages, and their people's practices and traditions. To reach this goal, the Language Centre produces a large range of materials, such as tapes (both audio and visual), with certain traditional practices, stories and language education. There are also language dictionaries, storybooks and information booklets on bush medicine and bush foods of the area.

In 1996, Papulu Apparr — Kari commenced the Community Development and Employment Program, and is the only language and cultural centre in Australia to coordinate CDEP. There are at present approximately eighty-five CDEP workers. Their duties vary from administration, to conducting the cross-cultural program and producing resource materials.

The cross-cultural program is a unique and practical way of breaking down barriers between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It teaches and demonstrates ways of traditional lifestyles, culture and beliefs, so that non-Aboriginal people can communicate, understand and respect issues such as sacred sites, land and Aboriginal organisations.Although the cross- cultural program is aimed at non- Aboriginal people, it is not limited to them. It is a service provided to all people of the Barkly Region.

The cross-cultural program is undoubtedly the biggest achievement for Papulu Apparr¬Kari, as workshops are conducted for a number of Government and non-Government services, including mining companies within the Barkly region, and the Tennant Creek High School.

Papulu Apparr-Kari's aim this year is to encourage more research and collation of materials on the languages within the Barkly region.