Honouring First Nations languages in early learning centres: How Early Learning Victoria is prioritising the use of First Nations names. 

Early Learning Victoria centre, Thookay Yarkeen (Dook-eye Yar-keen, which means ‘children dreaming’) in Portland South, opened its doors earlier this year. 

Before the centre opened, Traditional Owner representatives from Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service toured the centre.

Representatives welcomed the service’s adoption of the Aboriginal language name they provided.

Thookay Yarkeen joined a growing number of schools and early learning centres prioritising the use of Aboriginal language names.

Language and education

Language holds great significance for First Nations peoples. Language is Country, survival, wellbeing, birthright, strength, healing and connection to culture, identity and ancestors. Language, Country and culture are deeply intertwined. 

Connection to First Nations languages, culture and perspectives is critical to supporting children’s learning outcomes, emphasised in the recently updated Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

Gunditjmara man, Stephen Lovett, explained why he appreciated seeing the new centre adopt the name Thookay Yarkeen.

‘Educators' contribution towards the revitalisation of Gunditjmara's dhauwurd wurrung language plays an important part in the development of a strong sense of identity, pride and self-esteem for all students, particularly First Nations students,’ Mr Lovett said.

‘Access to language is crucial for the revitalisation of Aboriginal language.’ 

‘Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is proud to be part of the Early Learning Victoria journey, supporting centres to be culturally inclusive environments and empowering First Nations students to be strong, proud and deadly in their identity.’ 

‘The importance of education saves the pain of ignorance.’

Following  consultation with Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Gunditjmara language names were also provided for the children’s room names at the centre: wilarn (will-arn, which means ‘black cockatoo’), kooyang (koo-yang, which means ‘eel’) and kappring (kup-ring, which means ‘emu’).

Reflecting culture

Early Learning Victoria has now received First Nations language names for 16 of the new centres it has opened. These names reflect the culture, lands, waterways, animals or plants of the Country on which each centre is located. 

Early Learning Victoria engages respectfully with Registered Aboriginal Parties and Traditional Owners to consult on use of language for the naming process in partnership with the Victorian School Building Authority and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated. 

Early Learning Victoria is committed to embracing the history, culture and perspectives of First Nations peoples. 

Find out more

For more information, refer to Early Learning Victoria.