The Nyikina Mangala cultural custodians and the broader Jarlmadangah Community in the West Kimberley region have worked with SharingStories Foundation over many years to help record and creatively interpret the story and knowledge of Woonyoomboo: The Night Heron.

The Woonyoomboo project began in 2006 when SharingStories founder Liz Thompson and Senior Nyikina Cultural Custodian, Annie Nayina Milgin, collaborated on a print version of the story. Annie shared the story as it was passed to her by her father Darby Nangkiriny. The story tells of how Woonyoomboo brought the Nyikina world into being and where he lived and travelled.

The Woonyoomboo project has continued to evolve over many years. Since 2013, participants on Nyikina Country have been bringing the story to life using a wide range of digital arts and media skills transferred during SharingStories Digital Storytelling Programs. Currently, SharingStories continues to work with the Nyikina Community and delivery partners to grow local knowledge and help young people learn about Country and culture.

Since 2020, the Nyikina community has:

• launched the Woonyoomboo: The Night Heron multi-touch book
• produced educational resources for Jajoo Warrngara : The Cultural Classroom to support teachers embed First Nations perspectives across the curriculum.
• curated many years of media into an interactive display panel for the Walalakoo Keeping Place

Over the next year the Nyikina Community will be:

• launching Woonyoomboo: The Night Heron animation
• raising funds to complete language, design and curation for a new multi-touch book about living with the land, seasons, bush tucker and bush medicine
• developing and launch an online exhibition of Woonyoomboo: The Night Heron

Community Members
Annie Nayina Milgin (Senior Custodian/Storyteller), John Darraga Watson (Senior Custodian/Storyteller), Jennifer Milgin (Language Mentee) and Leela Watson (Language Mentee).