Niyakara (niyakara in the palawa language) sets off to hunt kangaroo but he is also distracted by thoughts of tuminana, the chief’s daughter. She is working with other women at the seashore and Niyakara knows he is not supposed to be near them during women’s time. His actions however are fortuitous as he observes three unknown men watching the women and knows they are in danger and there is no time to get help.
Calling on his creation spirit, ’moinee’ for help he gathers all his courage and inner strength and chases the tree men away watching in shock and surprise when the men morph into large kangaroos. Returning he is greeted by the village singing his praises. After much celebration Niyakara finds himself alone with the Chief and two other elders, they asked what happened. He saw they won’t believe him so shyly says ’I chased them away.’ The Chief asks ‘Is that all that happened?’ He replies yes and finally looks at the elders and is amazed to see they have turned into three large male kangaroos who bounce off.
A coming-of-age story it tells of a young Tasmanian Aboriginal boy on a kangaroo hunt and his transformational journey to manhood. Author Dave mangenner Gough describes it as ‘also the relationship, internally and spiritually, with our kangaroo. It helps him understand who he is and where he comes from.’ It is also his way of sharing his family connection with ‘tara,’ the male forrester kangaroo and showing readers Indigenous Tasmanian culture.
Samantha Campbell’s expressive artwork was created in Procreate software hand drawing on an IPad using an Apple pencil.
Dave mangenner Gough is a proud trawlwoolway man from north-east Tasmania with a strong personal connection to lutruwita Tasmania and its people. He is an artist who has exhibited nationally and internationally and he has curated several significant exhibitions.
Illustrator Samantha Campbell is descended from the Dagoman people from Katherine in the Northern Territory. She has illustrated several books and has been shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and the Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year Awards She currently lives in Alice Springs.
Please note the book includes a number of Tasmanian palawa language words. These words are written using lower case. A glossary of the words is included at the end of the book.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
