It's a story of bravery, courage and the power of Tiwi people.
Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand), is a new children's book detailing the untold story of the contributions of Tiwi people in World War II.
The book was written, translated and illustrated by Tiwi woman Mavis Kerinaiua, supported by Laura Rademaker.
Dedicated to Mavis' mother, the book shares a proud family history - the story of how of their grandfather, Louie Purraputimali Munkara, who helped protect Northern Australia in the war.
"Not many people outside of the Tiwi Islands know about my people’s role in the war. This is the story of one of our war heroes, my grandfather Louie Purraputimali Munkara,” Mavis said.
Growing up, her mother would tell her stories about her grandfather and his service.
“We felt so proud and honoured that our grandfather was part of this and other family members too," she said.
He would be happy that his story still continues 83 years later.
"For my mum, too, and her sisters and their family, it's really, really a happy time to talk about and to bring this to life in this book. [Louie] died in 1963. It's a privilege that we know Grandpa has contributed so much to the war effort.”
It's a bilingual picture book, written in both English and Tiwi and moulds together Tiwi culture and Country with wartime history.
For Mavis, the book is a way to unmask a hidden history, and a way to celebrate her people.
“The story is about bravery, courage and as a collective group, how we worked together to look after Country and people. And how proud we are as Tiwi people and as Australians,she said.
Alongside her grandfather's story, the book shares how Tiwi people and 'Black Diggers' patrolled and protected coastline along nothern Australia during the war. It also references the bombing of Nguiu Mission and Darwin.
“To me, this book supports the future generation as part of our data collection, knowledge keeping, and truth telling about history and our people and the war effort," said Mavis.
"And those days they didn't have money and they didn’t get paid for that; it was just from the heart. It’s important to remember their dedication for people and Country, how proud they were to protect the land.”
Ms Rademaker from the Australian National University was able to support Mavis' book through their project ‘Beyond Reconciliation: Truth-Telling for Indigenous Wellbeing’ and the Australian Research Council.
She said it was an "honour".
"Our work together has been about using history for healing, on the level of individual healing, right though healing our nation," she said.
"Mavis’ book is an important part of that. She tells a story about First Nations courage that I think all Australians should know.”
Mavis hopes its the beginning of more Tiwi stories being told.
“We need more books like this for the children. The war effort is very important because it happened, and we wouldn't be here without those heroes," she said.
"It is very, very important to remember them. My aminayi (grandfather) is my champion, my unsung kwapini (hero).
"We acknowledge and pay our deepest respects to the Tiwi and those of all nations who lost loved ones in the Second World War. May they rest in eternal peace. We remember all who lost their lives, those who served and those whose lives were changed by war. Lest we forget."
