Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre Overview

Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre

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Keeping language strong

Servicing over 30 language groups of the Pilbara, Wangka Maya was the first Aboriginal language centre in the north. Established in 1987, elders committed to preserving their language, culture and story for their young people. Wangka Maya remains a dynamic community centre that is also the regional ‘Link Up’ centre connecting those of the ‘stolen generation’ to their families and language. Wangka Maya celebrates landmarks of Aboriginal history of their region through exhibitions and productions that honour the struggles of the people, to maintain their dignity and culture, and to ensure that the injustices and struggles of the past are not forgotten.

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Address:

Cnr Hamilton and Throssell Roads
South Hedland WA 6722
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9172 2344

Email:

manager@wangkamaya.org.au

Opening Hours

Mon to Fri 8:30am – 4:30 pm

Poster from the 1946 Pilbara Strike

Longstanding fight for rights

After years of injustices and being treated like slaves, in 1946 station workers of the Pilbara and southern Kimberley staged a strike to fight for better wages and conditions. It was a remarkable...

Collection of Pilbara languages

A library of languages

Amassing an impressive array of dictionaries, story books and multi-media productions of 31 Pilbara Aboriginal languages, Wangka Maya is working towards achieving its goal of keeping these languages...

Clapsticks and spear thrower

Culture and language

The resonant sound of wooden clapping sticks conjures images of dancing on the red earth of the north. Sitting alongside this beautifully engraved spear thrower in a cabinet at the entrance to Wangka...

Warlayirti Artists

Little bit long way

So says the first of many painted car-bonnet signs as you turn off the Great Northern Highway to travel the 350 kms along the Tanami track to the Warlayirti Artists Art and Culture Centre at Balgo...

Cossack Museum

WA's first pearling port

Located on the beautiful banks of the Harding River, the Cossack Museum is housed in the old courthouse, now resurrected from the abandoned port town of Cossack. As Perth was developing into the state...

Argyle Homestead Museum

Kings in Grass Castles

Stone by stone, the Argyle Homestead was moved from its original site,now under the waters of the ‘top dam’ on the Ord River, to its current home on the edge of Lake Argyle. It was the former home of...

Shire of Broome Art Collection

Kimberley artists abound

The Shinju Matsuri Art Awards is an open competition and exhibition for Broome and Kimberley based artists, held every year as a core event of Broome’s annual Shinju Matsuri Festival. The overall...