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Twiggy.PNG logo – Aria J Kitchener brand emblem with handwritten calligraphy typography.

Bundjalung
Language Resources

Bundjalung Language Resource Cards set – complete deck of illustrated cultural flashcards.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project is part of our own journey to re-learn Country. Our language group is one of many efforts in the Northern Rivers Bundjalung region to revitalise, reconnect, and heal with our Country knowledge again.
Bundjalung Nation is built from several dialects and languages. These are our own local and personal interpretations, collected into readable cards that are accessible for the whole mob.

Bundjalung Language Cards in classroom and community use – cultural education in practice.

Our Language Mob!

Bundjalung Beach creatures

2025/2026

Working in collaboration with local elders and their non-profit language organisation (link here), we have developed educational resources in an effort to help educate our future generations and local communities using Bundjalung language and place names.

Bundjalung language educational card – Australian animal illustration with Bundjalung vocabulary.Bundjalung language card – wildlife illustration for Indigenous language revitalization.Bundjalung language educational card – native coastal and land species language study.Bundjalung language card – native species illustration with traditional language name.Bundjalung language flashcard – illustrated Australian animal and cultural language learning resource.Bundjalung language flashcard – illustrated native species connecting culture and Country.Bundjalung language resource card – native wildlife and cultural educational card.Bundjalung language flashcard – coastal bird and animal language learning resource.Bundjalung language educational resource – cultural wildlife study flashcard.
Bundjalung language cards creation process – drafting and research with community Elders.

CREATION PROCESS

Each animal is researched from our local native ecosystems. The Bundjalung language group, elders, and a language committee have worked together, matching our local language to their natural environments.

Using photography and the help of the best reference material available, we draft and redraw these beautiful totems of our culture.

Concept Art

AND MORE IMAGES OF THE PROCESS

This concept art collection explores the early stages of wildlife illustration and environmental storytelling through sketch studies of Australian animals, coastal birds, native plants and ecosystem species. Each drawing begins as observational research, using field references, photography and sketchbook studies to understand the anatomy, movement and character of species found across the Northern Rivers and Bundjalung Country. These concept sketches form the foundation for larger illustrated works used in educational resources, environmental studies and Bundjalung language revitalisation projects. By documenting native wildlife such as pelicans, frogs and coastal species, the artwork helps connect ecological knowledge with cultural storytelling and place-based learning.

Hand-drawn study illustration of the Australian silver wattle tree (Acacia dealbata), showing yellow blossoms and foliage as part of environmental research into native ecosystems.Illustration panel showing the evolution of mullet fish drawings from early sketch to finished coloured artwork by Aria Kitchener, demonstrating wildlife illustration development.Detailed sketch illustration of a Brahminy kite bird of prey, showing brown wings and white head, drawn as part of a native Australian wildlife study.Colourful illustration of a mud crab labelled “Bungu Bungu,” representing Bundjalung language and coastal wildlife education from Northern Rivers ecosystems.Hand-drawn sketch studies of Australian coastal birds in a notebook, showing multiple poses and anatomy references used for wildlife illustration and environmental research.Pencil sketch studies of the bush stone-curlew showing head, body and stance anatomy drawn as part of Australian bird research and wildlife illustration practice.Sketch study of bright red talons and legs of an Australian bird of prey, showing claw structure and anatomy for wildlife illustration and environmental study.Sketchbook study of Australian native plants including a hoop pine tree, drawn as part of environmental and botanical illustration research.Hand-drawn sketch studies of a frog labelled “Jiribiny,” showing anatomy and posture from a sketchbook used for Bundjalung language wildlife education.Colour illustration of an Australian pelican standing near coastal water, created as part of a wildlife art study of native Australian birds.Sketchbook drawing of a willy wagtail bird labelled “Juyjulam,” representing Bundjalung language and Australian bird illustration studies.