Dj Honeysett and Josh Simpson are both proud Wiradyuri men, who were in the same cohort for the Wiradyuri language course.
So I'm not real educated when it comes to a white man's education. So going into a university course was intimidating. But once you get into the environment, you're not learning in a white man's education, you're learning your language of your old people.Josh Simpson
Josh's driving force is being able to teach his children and pass this cultural knowledge onto the next generation to keep the legacy of language and culture alive.
The reason I'm here is to learn the language and teach my babies, and that's still my aim. Just to pass this language on to my babies, so they can pass it on to their babies and so on and so forth.Josh Simpson
For both Josh and Dj, completing the Wiradyuri language course has provided them with the knowledge to be able to give back to their communities in a meaningful way.
Dj works within his community in Wagga through his youth program Dhiidyays Connections, sharing and passing on Wiradyuri language and culture. This role, as well as his most important job, being a father to his three children, is his motivation.
My favourite word would be walumarra, which is to protect, to be a guardian. And I stand by that because, with the things that I do now, with all these programs and youth programs, and as a father, it is my obligation to protect and to guide these young people. That's who I am.DJ Honeyset
Special thanks to Letitia Harris and Bernard Higgins.
Artwork: Darren Wighton
Digeridoo Track: Luke Wighton
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