1. Astronomy
2. Dreaming
3. Glossaries and vocabularies
4. Kalgoorlie-Boulder (SE WA Goldfields SH51-09)
5. Landscapes
6. Wangkatha people (A12) (WA SH52-05)

This is an evocative retelling of the origin of the constellation of the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) by renowned Aboriginal author and educator, May O’Brien, descended from the Wongutha people of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The story recounts how the Yayarrs, small men who walked the land and traversed the Milky Way, watched over Aboriginal people and had full reign over the region. The Seven Sisters come down from the starry skies to visit Earth, and catch the eye of the Yayarrs, who become intent on making them their wives. When one sister strays from the group, she narrowly escapes being taken by one of the Yayarrs. Returning to the plateau where they first landed, the sister is fearful that she has been abandoned only to eventually see and finally rejoin her sisters in the sky. As the story unfolds, O’Brien references various landmarks and landforms throughout the region that can still be seen today. Through this engaging retelling and Wyatt’s mixed media full-colour illustrations, children are introduced to Aboriginal Dreaming stories, traditional beliefs and the Wongutha language. A brief glossary and pronunciation guide is included.

May O’Brien (1933-2020) was a recipient of a British Empire Medal for her inspiring work as an educator, and was also the first Aboriginal woman in WA to earn a tertiary qualification in 1953. Susan Wyatt is a Wongai woman born in the Goldfields town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

1. Seven Sister, Stories of Country, National Museum of Australia Story of the Seven Sisters. Minyipuru Jukurrpa is the Martu version of this story. Short video called Parnngurr Nyiru, describes the story. https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/kaninjaku-canning-stock-route/stories/seven-sisters
2. Following the Seven Sisters, National Indigenous Australians Agency. Story and short video about the Seven Sisters exhibition, National Museum of Australia https://www.indigenous.gov.au/news-and-media/stories/following-seven-sisters
3. The Early life of May O’Brien, Radio Interview with Bill Bunbury, 2006, ABC Local Radio https://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/05/24/3509952.htm?site=goldfields
4. Australian Indigenous Astronomy. Traces history of First Australians as the oldest astronomers and oldest continuing cultures in the world. Information on constellations, stars, planets etc in relation to Aboriginal culture http://www.aboriginalastronomy.com.au
5. The Wirangu Seven Sisters creation story, Walking Together, ABC Australia. Video, Dreaming story from the Wirangu people on the Eyre Peninsula on South Australia’s west coast about the Seven Sisters Constellation, and how the land was formed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9pu4fGOp2Y