The Frog and the Brolga Multi-touch Interactive Book Project

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Original artwork by Mitchel Drill in the original ‘Sharing our Stories’ storybook ‘The Frog and the Brolga’. Photo © Liz Thompson

Kija community of Purnululu in conjunction with SharingStories Foundation
Purnululu, East Kimberley
November 2016 to November 2017

This multi-touch book, based on the Kija creation story ‘The Frog and the the Brolga’, will bring to life a book of the same name previously developed by the community with Liz Thompson of SharingStories.  The multi-touch book will be developed with young people and Cultural Custodians from the community, through SharingStories’ Digital Storytelling Program.  Together they will create a contemporary, visually inspiring interpretation of the story using multiple digital media art forms.

Working in conjunction with the community’s school, the Digital Storytelling Program is underpinned by inter-generational transmission on Country where stories live, enhancing respect for Ancestors, Elders and the knowledge they carry.  It is designed to connect young people to their community and culture in ways that strengthen identity and build community and self-esteem.

Storyteller Shirley Drill mapping ‘The Frog and the Brolga' Story at Purnululu © Liz Thompson

Storyteller Shirley Drill mapping ‘The Frog and the Brolga’ Story at Purnululu. Photo © Liz Thompson

The program typically strengthens connections between teachers, Senior Cultural Custodians and communities by respecting Indigenous knowledge systems alongside a Western educational pedagogy. SharingStories’ specially designed teaching pedagogies demonstrate to teachers how creative digital storytelling practices can achieve standard curriculum objectives and improve digital and conventional literacies while valuing culturally relevant learning.

At the same time, participants learn new skills that build confidence and capacity for creative, self-representational storytelling practices and cultural participation.  Skills learned during the program include storyboarding, animation, scriptwriting, song writing,  editing, sound recording and design, illustration, film and photography, as well as theatre, puppetry and projection. The Digital Storytelling Program encourages further learning, life opportunities in the arts and digital media, and pathways to employment.

Children from the Kija community and their paintings Photo © Liz Thompson

Children from the Kija community and their paintings Photo © Liz Thompson

The multi-touch book will be available to be used by the community for teaching and learning purposes, and will be held in a community-owned and controlled cultural archive and at local schools.  It may also be included in a nation-wide touring exhibition, including multiple venues in Western Australia.

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