Yornadaiyn Woolagoodja: A Fascinating and Important Biography

Yorna is the chairman of the Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation, and he reached world-wide acclaim when his giant Namaralay Wandjina featured in the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. After many years of writing and collaborating on films and books, Yorna, with assistance from Kim Doohan, is finally telling his own life story in his own words.

“I had that feeling in my ngaanyoolum, my leeyaan, that I wanted to write this book,” said Yorna. “Leeyaan comes from your maandoom. It is in your tummy. It is the feeling in your stomach that tells you what is the right thing to do – like a gut reaction.

Born at Kunmunya Mission, Yorna was moved along with his family to Mowanjum, well south of their Woddordda homeland. There he watched his Elders painting the Wandjina on bark and boards, and learnt the stories of Lalai (creation). His father was Sam Woolagoodja, one of the last Law and medicine men of his generation for the Woddordda people. After his father’s death in 1979, Yorna took on responsibility for the land and for the passing on of cultural traditions. He became active in the pursuit of native title and leads walking and camping tours in the West Kimberley, educating younger generations in cultural Law and the importance of the land.

“I was born in my Country and spent my childhood living with my old people, visiting Country with them and experiencing my Culture. The old people taught me what I know. I want this book to help all the younger generation – not just this generation, but the next ones too.”

Magabala Publisher Rachel Bin Salleh said “this isn’t your typical ‘biography’, it invites you to explore an alternative world-view and the possibility of a better-informed future for coming generations.”

The book contains special features on Joonba (‘Corroborree’), the Dambimangari Native Title determination story, and how to gain permission and show respect for Country.

This is a special biography, an important one, about a fascinating man, renowned artist and someone who holds important knowledge. The book is very spiritual, and talks about the Woddordda Culture and Country. It’s a stunning book that educates, inspires and promotes deeper understanding of First Nations cultures and traditions. With Christmas coming up, it’s a beautiful gift. I know I’ll be giving this book to a number of family and friends. It’s one to treasure.

(NB: Featured image – Big Spring, 1997. This first painting was to try to show all the stories from Lalai and to represent our Culture in one painting but there was too much for one painting. So I did other paintings to show how much Culture and Country we have.)