Aunty Joyce Bonner was in her early twenties before she heard her the most beautiful sound - her mother singing in Butchulla (Badjala) language. It changed her world.
That moment ignited in her a fierce passion to become a custodian of that ancient language and help to revive her people's songs and stories.
nyanaga buranga burangan - 'look, listen, learn' - became her mantra.
Her focus was on embedding Butchulla language in education initiatives across the Fraser Coast and wider Australia, including many led by the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Now recognised as one of Australia’s most distinguished First Nations linguists, Aunty Joyce has been awarded UniSC’s highest honour – an Honorary Doctorate.
“Our ancient languages portray who we are, what we stand for and how we deliver understanding by engaging and educating others – past, present and future. It represents existence, identity and values. Learning language is a journey to create change."
I was 23 years old, sitting around a campfire when my mother suddenly sang our welcome and farewell song – K’gari nyin narmi.
"It was the first time I had heard my mother sing in Butchulla. The world stopped."
“This was the beginning of my language learning journey, seeking our past to create a new way of learning for all,” said Aunty Joyce, who until then was unaware of her full Butchulla heritage.
“I set about ensuring our traditional language is awakened by implementing spiritual tools for language use,” she said.
“A crucial element was to research my history with Badjala Elders by my side, listening to their oral histories and learning their songs while they were still here. Without them, history can be lost and forgotten.
Aunty Joyce sings at ceremony on K'gari marking 25 years since the island's listing on the World Heritage register.
“I was influenced to undertake a role to gather language materials, to study and embed community-driven Butchulla language programs in schools and my community so all who are learning and journeying through language learn the true history.”
Using the power of music for learning and sharing language is her driving force
Her quest now stretches over three decades and includes national and international roles to help preserve, revitalise and promote First Nations voices across many cultures.
Most recently, Aunty Joyce was appointed to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages Directions Group that is working in partnership with the Australian Government on ‘Voices of Country’ .
The national action plan will support the United Nation’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages for 2022 - 2032.
She was elected to represent Australia at the launch of the UN initiative in Paris last year.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, says the Honorary Doctorate is the highest honour the University awards and recognises excellence and extraordinary achievement.
“Aunty Joyce’s passion for resurrecting Butchulla language by teaching traditional language and song is infectious.”
Professor Helen Bartlett
Professor Helen Bartlett presents Aunty Joyce Bonner with the Honorary Doctorate at a recent UniSC Fraser Coast graduation ceremony.
“She is a champion of First Nations language, who has partnered with us to embed traditional knowledge, culture and language in important UniSC initiatives, including those based on K’gari.”
This includes education projects such as Marigurim-Yan (Strong Walk), a program helping Indigenous high school students find self-belief through their culture and language.
“As a result of Aunty Joyce’s valuable input into UniSC projects, such as the K’gari visitor app and K’gari World Heritage Discovery Centre, visitors and students on the island can learn the Butchulla names of animals, plants and landmarks, and gain a greater understanding of the enduring culture of its custodians.”
Professor Bartlett said Aunty Joyce had demonstrated dedication to preserving Butchulla language through teaching language and song to young people, and through the publication of multiple books, videos, songs, apps, stories, and dances.
“It creates a balance for all to be part of a language journey where everybody has the possibility of learning on country."
Aunty Joyce said it was an unexpected honour to be awarded an honorary doctorate by UniSC and have her work recognised in this way.
“I receive this Honorary Doctorate with respect on behalf of Badjala Elders, my advocate, Jeanie Bell who journeyed alongside me, my community, and university educators who have supported me,” she said.
One of her latest collaborations with UniSC will give students and visitors to the University's field station on the eastern side of K'gari the opportunity to learn Butchulla language.
The interpretive education project also has the overarching theme of nyanaga buranga burangan.
Guided by K’gari’s first people and custodians, it continues the traditions of tens of thousands of years of the island being a place for learning, exploration and the sharing of wisdom.
Aunty Joyce has been sharing Butchulla songs, language and stories with final year UniSC design students who will incorporate the recordings into interpretive signage at the centre.
“The best way of learning is by the ocean, under a tree, listening to country, walking country and breathing country in a safe environment for established supported language activities," she said.
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