Japily Symbol Wooden Indigenous Dough Stamps by Songlines

The Japily Symbol Wooden Indigenous Dough Stamps by Songlines is a collection of Aboriginal art, knowledge and culture that supports children to understand and practise using symbols as a language. Simply press the stamps into dough to create an impression of the symbol and use the included flashcards to match and identify.

This First Nations take on sensory exploration can be used as a learning tool to aid in the development of fine motor skills, speech development and cognitive thinking, whilst developing both oral and written language, imagination, storytelling, all through embedding authentic Indigenous perspectives and knowledge.

This beautifully designed and made collection combines eight natural wooden engraved First Nations symbol stamps, as well as eight matching symbol flashcards all packaged in a calico bag for safe storage. The stamps have a firm wide grip, ideal for little hands and are engraved on top for easy identification. Flashcards are printed on durable 300gsm matt card.

• Stamp size: 5cm diameter, flashcard size: A6
• In the pack: 8 wooden stamps, 8 matching flashcards, 1 Early Years Learning Framework and Australian Curriculum Teaching Notes flashcard.
• Packaged in natural calico bag for safe storage
• Suitable for stamping in dough and plasticine
• Artists: Symbols and background artwork by Russell Yilamara Brown, Native plant illustrations by Leah Brown

Artist Biography – Russell Yilamara Brown

Russell Yilamara Brown was born in Hornsby, New South Wales in 1983, his Indigenous heritage is from the Garawa and Mara tribes of South-East Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt. His family was removed from their Country and placed into the Emerald River Mission on Groote Eylandt, where his grandmother was born. They were later relocated by the missionaries to Sydney due to World War II, where Russell grew up. Russell returned to his grandmother’s Country to live when he was in his early 30’s to reconnect.

Yilamara was the name given to Russell by his Elders. Yilamara is a native orchid, its stem was used for painting and its sap was used to bind the natural ochres together before painting on barks and implements.

Russell began exploring his artistic skills in his mid-twenties and has further refined his traditional style and has developed a contemporary representation.

He is a skilled painter, sculptor and is beginning to explore digital artwork and other mediums. He is a strong advocate for the self-determination of Aboriginal peoples.

Artist Biography – Leah Brown

Leah Brown is a proud Garawa and Mara woman from the Roper River area of the Northern Territory, she currently lives on Dunghutti Country, NSW. Leah is skilled in painting, digital artwork and design and is passionate about using her talents to educate and share her culture.

Zart recommends connecting to your local First Nations community and building strong authentic relationships so your students, staff, and the wider school community continue to share in the beauty of First Nations culture and history.