Author Mia Speed's children's picture book connects readers with Wirangu language and culture
Mia Speed reads her book to some of her nephews and nieces in Port Lincoln. (Supplied: Mia Speed)
In short:
A book written by a Port Lincoln teenager in Wirangu language for her nieces and nephews is now for sale in Australia.
Mia Speed has launched the book in front of family and friends at her former school.
What's next?
Ms Speed wants to continue publishing Wirangu language books to empower the next generation.
At just 18 years of age, South Australian university student Mia Speed is a nationally published author.
But the young Wirangu woman's most cherished achievement is how her work has inspired dreams and empowered her nephews and nieces to reconnect with their language.
The Port Lincoln High School graduate wrote and illustrated Where's my Minya Marlu?, a Wirangu language story of a mother kangaroo looking for her joey.
It earned her an A for her South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) Research project in 2022.
She wrote it to read to her nephews and nieces after she couldn't find a children's book written in their Wirangu language.
Loading...Ms Speed contacted the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) after she started university studies in Adelaide and began refining her story for publication.
Now in addition to being available around the country in book form, it also comes with an audio QR code showcasing the correct pronunciation of Wirangu words.
Cultural connection
The Wirangu people traditionally lived on the west coast of South Australia but connection to their language had been eroded by the impact of colonisation.
Ms Speed said she saw it happening among her family members and wanted to do something about it.
"Before I created the book, [my mother] didn't really know some of the language and some of the animals' names as well," Ms Speed said.
"I wanted to share the language with the children, making sure that my relatives, my nieces and nephews, and other children have the opportunity to learn Wirangu language, especially from a young age."
She launched the book in Port Lincoln during a recent visit to her primary school Lincoln Gardens where she read her book in front of her family and elders.
Jennifer Schlesak holds the new book while Ms Speed reads for the younger students. (Supplied: Indigenous Literary Foundation)
"For them, it was really mind blowing that you can explore your language, and you can learn more," Ms Speed said.
"It's not all lost … it was emotional, especially for the elders."
She said writing a book in the traditional langue of her people was also an empowering act of "cultural preservation", allowing her to help her community and the next generation of Wirangu people.
Sandra Spencer (left) says Mia Speed is an inspiring young woman. (Supplied: Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
Starting the literacy journey
Wiradjuri man and Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) chief executive, Ben Bowen, said Indigenous language books delivered many benefits.
"It is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can see themselves, their culture and languages reflected in the books they read," Mr Bowen said.
He said learning to understand, speak and read in a First Language enabled children to learn a second language, such as English, more easily.
"Having books in language allows children to start their literacy journey with books in languages spoken in their homes," he said.
"Early learning board books such as Mia's, contributes to identity, culture, connection to country and community, and continues the strength and survival of sacred languages."
Bursting with pride
Lincoln Gardens principal Sandra Spencer said Ms Speed had a lot of courage and determination to have her book published.
"Mia is an inspiring young woman that other young people can relate to," Ms Spencer said.
"She has opened their eyes to what is possible."
Alan Dodd and Shelley Ware were with Mia Speed for the launch of her Wirangu children's book. (Supplied: Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
ILF ambassador and Yankunyjatjara and Wirangu woman, Shelley Ware, said the book shared culture as well as language.
"Hearing Mia share Wirangu language as she read her book and watching all of the children hanging off every word was extra special," Ms Ware said.
"Every adult in the room was bursting with pride, tears flowed with every Wirangu word spoken aloud."
Ms Speed's is the first book to emerge from the ILF's partnership with the Far West Language Centre.
She said language was part of her Aboriginal identity.
Mia Speed created her artwork and story as a school project in 2022. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Jodie Hamilton)
"It's an honour to be able to [publish a book], especially knowing that our language is so restricted nowadays," she said.
"There's so many language groups across Australia that aren't even spoken, and it's like for my language to be able to be put in that form for children and other people to learn, it's a very special feeling."
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Studies says more than 250 languages and 800 dialects were spoken in Australia before colonisation in 1788.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation worked with Mia to publish her story as a book. (Supplied: Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
It says there were just 123 Indigenous languages spoken in 2019 and 90 per cent were considered endangered.
National Archives of Australia says at least 31 languages are being revived nationally.
"The active preservation, recording and promotion of First Australian languages is necessary for their survival," the archives says.