Kokatha Language Pathways Workshop

October 4, 2024

In October 2024, Kokatha community members and MLT staff held a language and art workshop on the banks of the Torrens, in Kaurna Yerta. Led by Amelia Amos, MLT Trainee Aboriginal Language Worker and Kokatha woman, the workshop brought people together to paint, share knowledge, and create resources for Kokatha language learners.

The focus of the day was Kokatha names for plants and insects. As participants painted, they discussed words like anumara (caterpillar), kampur̠ar (bush tomato), and wan̠ka (spider). The artwork and words from the workshop will be used to create language flashcards and an alphabet book to help young children learn the names of plants and insects in Kokatha.

As the day went on, more words and pictures were added, expanding the collection to include tjal̠a (honey ant), kalta (sleepy lizard), and many more.

The workshop brought together family from all different generations, with both adults and children taking part. Set outside community members had fun painting and learning together—strengthening the Kokatha language while creating meaningful teaching materials for future learners.

This workshop was a part of the MLT’s Pathways project that works to create pathways for Aboriginal Language Workers. The aim of these workshops and the project is to give paid opportunities to community members to work on their language and practise their language worker skills while also building language skills amongst community members.