Godaku Tjukurpa - God's Story

The vision to have such a Bible came from Nami Kulyuru, a long-serving Pitjantjatjara Bible translator from Central Australia.

After sharing her idea with friends and colleagues, Nami began the paintings for this book in 2021. She was passionate about seeing the children in her community have access to visual representations of the Scriptures with which they could connect.

Tragically, Nami was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour shortly after beginning this work, but persevered through the early stages of her illness, continuing to create paintings.

Sadly, in mid-2022, Nami passed away. But her family, community, and the people inspired by her work, were determined to see the vision realised. A team of indigenous artists picked up the work and eventually completed a series of more than 55 paintings.

Fundraising efforts by Emmaus Christian College in Adelaide, South Australia and a generous legacy from one family ensured that funds were in place to bring this book to fruition.

The Pitjantjatjara Children’s Illustrated Bible launch took place on November 2nd, 2024, hosted Emmaus Christian College. The college’s recreation hall was converted into a gallery – displaying all the artworks, each depicting a scene that visually represents a pivotal moment in the biblical text.

More than one hundred guests attended the event to give thanks to God for this publishing milestone.

David Barnett, Bible Society Australia’s Coordinator for the Pitjantjatjara Translation project described the book as creating a ‘visual map’ which would help children to better understand the Word of God.

In a particularly moving moment, the team of artists who helped to complete Nami’s vision were presented with copies of the book. It was an emotional time of gratitude and reflection. One of the artists prayed in the Pitjantjatjara language, which was also a profoundly touching and relevant moment.

Historically, indigenous tribes throughout Australia have communicated their culture and history to young people through art, painting on rock structures, in the dirt, and on their skin. Wonderfully, in God’s goodness and because of one woman’s vision, Bible stories are now communicated in the same way.

A Scottish Connection

Many of Nami Kulyuru’s fellow Pitjantjatjara translators are based at Ernabella Mission, a remote aboriginal community located southwest of Alice Springs.

Ernabella has historical links with Scotland. The Mission was established bya Scot, Dr Charles Duguid, in 1937. At that time there were increasing cases of exploitation and abuse against the Aboriginal people along with growing medical needs in the community. Dr Duguid set up Ernabella Mission to act as a ‘buffer zone’ where the rights of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people would be protected as the settlers moved in. He respected their tribal customs and encouraged them to adapt to change at their own pace. It was his policy that all white staff at the Mission should learn the local language. He established a hospital and a school and worked to serve the growing Ernabella community.

Today, almost 90 years after Dr Charles Duguid established a Presbyterian mission there, Ernabella is where Pitjantjatjara Christians work to translate God’s Word into their own language and continue to live and share the Bible.