Highlighting Tiwi People's Wartime Contributions
Tiwi author Mavis Kerinaiua has released a new children's book detailing the critical yet often overlooked role of the Tiwi people during World War II. The book, titled 'Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand)', was published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
The bilingual book, written in both Tiwi and English, tells the story of Louie Purraputimali Munkara, Kerinaiua's grandfather, who played a vital role in protecting Northern Australia during the war. The narrative is supported by illustrations and translations, with assistance from Laura Rademaker.
Mavis Kerinaiua expressed the importance of this story, stating, "The story is about bravery, courage and as a collective group, how we worked together to look after Country and people. And how proud we are as Tiwi people and as Australians."
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The book seeks to preserve cultural knowledge and highlight the landscapes, language, and cultural heritage of the Tiwi Islands. It reveals the wartime contributions of the Tiwi people, including the 'Black Diggers' who patrolled and protected Australia's northern coastline, recounting events such as the bombing of Nguiu Mission and Darwin.
According to Kerinaiua, the story has been a part of Tiwi oral history and publishing it is a form of truth-telling and healing. The project was also supported by the Australian National University's project 'Beyond Reconciliation: Truth-Telling for Indigenous Wellbeing' and the Australian Research Council.
Laura Rademaker, who supported Kerinaiua, said, "It’s been an honour to support Mavis on this project. Our work together has been about using history for healing, on the level of individual healing, right through healing our nation. Mavis’ book is an important part of that."
The book is dedicated to Mavis’s mother and is a source of pride for her family and community. It carries an enduring message of leadership and cultural continuity, highlighting the importance of documenting these histories for education and remembrance.
Mavis Kerinaiua hopes to continue working with Tiwi families to produce more books about wartime experiences, Mission life, and Dreaming stories, emphasising the importance of remembering the heroes who protected their land.
