Teacher's Guide to ASC Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games K-12 2008

Q: How can I run a Yulunga display, tabloid or workshop event?

The resource outlines several event formats: Display of games: select around eight to ten activities, where people come and try some and move on. It may help to station a person at each activity to explain and control it, or provide a diagram or information sheet. Tabloid event: groups of four to six players spend two to three minutes at each activity, then rotate. After each rotation one player stays behind to explain the activity to the next group. Student leaders may be used where mixed age/ability groups are involved; they stay at each activity, explain it and score. Workshop or traditional games event: modified for co-educational classes and groups of different ages and/or abilities, over one hour to one and a half hours, with groups of six to 12. Groups can rotate around six to eight activities at about eight to ten minutes each. Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008), Events and activities section.

Question 1

What are the Yulunga games, who wrote the resource and what does Yulunga mean?

Accepted Answer

Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games is an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) resource presenting a selection of games and activities played in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies, including traditional pastimes and some more "modern" activities. Dr Ken Edwards wrote it, with the assistance of Troy Meston, after reviewing almost every available account of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games from all parts of Australia. The book was published in 2008. In the language of the Kamilaroi (Gamori) people of north-western New South Wales, Yulunga means "playing".

It can be used in schools as an educational resource and as a guide to inclusive, structured sport within communities. The games are available as a full set of cards and as individual cards.

Source: https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools/resource-hub/yulunga and Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008).

Question 2

How should I acknowledge the cultural origins of the games and involve local elders?

Accepted Answer

The resource recommends that local elders are consulted and invited to be involved in some way before any unit of work or special event using the games. The ASC page adds that when the games are used in a school or sport program, local elders and Indigenous groups should be informed of the plans and invited to participate, including by commenting on suitable activities.

The resource gives these examples of statements that might be acceptable to local elders:

"We pay our respect to the traditional custodians of this land."
"We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the ... peoples and pay our respects to the traditional custodians."

The ASC recognises the traditional owners of the games and activities that formed the basis of the resource and dedicates it to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The book says care was taken to avoid games used in initiation ceremonies and religious events, or which could give a false impression of the cultural identity of Indigenous people.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008); https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools/resource-hub/yulunga/how-to-use-the-cards

Question 3

Are the Yulunga games played in their traditional form?

Accepted Answer

Not always. The introduction says:

Some games can be played in their traditional form or close to it, sometimes using modern equipment.
Some have been modified from their traditional form so that players understand the basic skills and game play while considering safety and ease of play.
Some have been reconstructed from vague or incomplete accounts into what is believed to be an accurate representation.

The book is based on several hundred accounts collected from all parts of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands, many recorded in the nineteenth century by explorers, government officials, settlers, scientists and missionaries. It notes there are comparatively few descriptions by Indigenous people, though efforts were made to include a significant level of Indigenous input.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008), Introduction.

Question 4

Which Yulunga games suit which year levels?

Accepted Answer

Each game is labelled with the year levels it suits. The ASC's current cards use four bands of learning: F-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. In the 2008 book the labels are school years (for example Years 4-6 or 7-9), "All school-age groups (K-12)" and "Post-school age".

Examples from the book:

Jillora (ball spinning): all school-age groups (K-12) and post-school age. The book says this version is designed as a warm-up and is particularly suitable for younger children.
Bunbuja (spin-top): Years 4-6 and 7-9.
Boomerang: Years 7-9, 10-12 and post-school age.

The ASC page describes Yulunga overall as suitable for children and adults of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008); https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools/resource-hub/yulunga/how-to-use-the-cards

Question 5

What is on each Yulunga activity card?

Accepted Answer

According to the ASC's "How to use the cards" page, each card lists the bands of learning (F-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12), background, description, equipment, variations, safety and teaching tips. In the 2008 book, entries also give the game's name with a pronunciation guide, a short description, number of players, playing area, equipment, game play and basic rules, language notes and teaching points.

Source: https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools/resource-hub/yulunga/how-to-use-the-cards and Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (2008).

Question 6

Can I use Yulunga games as skill or lead-up games in PE lessons?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The resource says many of the games can be played successfully as skill games or lead-up games in physical education lessons, or in specific sports practice sessions, rather than as major games in themselves. A large number can also be played as outlined in the book. Some types, such as wrestling and ball games, offer the chance to play different versions, and the games vary in the type and level of competition. The introduction describes them as primarily a contribution towards implementing Indigenous Australian perspectives across the education curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008), Introduction; https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools/resource-hub/yulunga/how-to-use-the-cards

Question 7

How do I adapt Yulunga games for a mixed-ability class?

Accepted Answer

The resource says that in some cases modifications of a game have been outlined so people of different ages and abilities can take part in an enjoyable and relevant way. Examples from the games:

Koolchee (rolling balls at pins): a cooperative version has two teams work together to knock over about ten pins, timing themselves to set a record. For younger players the distance between the teams can be reduced and the pins placed closer together.
Jillora (ball spinning): younger players may need help from other players to spin the balls.
Many games say distances, rules or scoring depend on the age and ability of the players.

The Australian Sports Commission's Sports Ability program, for people with disabilities, includes five traditional games (from the Torres Strait, central Australia, northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland) that can be adapted and modified to suit all abilities. They are on specially designed activity cards and an instructional DVD.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008), Introduction, koolchee, jillora and Sports Ability pages.

Question 8

What safety and consent points apply when using Yulunga games?

Accepted Answer

The resource's disclaimer says:

It is designed for people of all ages and assumes each participant is healthy and has no medical condition that would preclude participation.
Nobody should take part if any medical, physical or other factor indicates the activity does not suit them.
Where there are queries or concerns, the participant's consent, or their parent or legal guardian's consent if under 18, should be obtained before they take part.
Adult supervision must be provided for all activities where participants are under 18.

Individual games add their own safety notes. For example, the boomerang entry says to keep your eyes on the boomerang, use another person as a watcher if possible, pick an appropriate large open area, set up safety regulation procedures, check wind direction and set aiming points, and agree where people sit when not throwing.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008), Disclaimer and boomerang entry.

Question 9

How can I run a Yulunga display, tabloid or workshop event?

Accepted Answer

The resource outlines several event formats:

Display of games: select around eight to ten activities, where people come and try some and move on. It may help to station a person at each activity to explain and control it, or provide a diagram or information sheet.
Tabloid event: groups of four to six players spend two to three minutes at each activity, then rotate. After each rotation one player stays behind to explain the activity to the next group. Student leaders may be used where mixed age/ability groups are involved; they stay at each activity, explain it and score.
Workshop or traditional games event: modified for co-educational classes and groups of different ages and/or abilities, over one hour to one and a half hours, with groups of six to 12. Groups can rotate around six to eight activities at about eight to ten minutes each.

Source: Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games (Australian Sports Commission, 2008), Events and activities section.

Question 10

Can I copy, adapt or share the Yulunga cards?

Accepted Answer

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) encourages non-commercial use of Yulunga by the public. Any reproduction or adaptation needs ASC approval, which you request by emailing reconciliation@ausport.gov.au. The full set of cards and each individual card can be downloaded from the ASC Sporting Schools page.

Source: https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools/resource-hub/yulunga