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Tiwi author brings untold WWII story to life in new children's book

Indigenous Literacy Foundation

Disclaimer: Please be advised that this story contains images and names of people who have passed away, provided with permission of their families.

A powerful new children’s book by Tiwi author Mavis Kerinaiua is bringing attention to the largely untold role of the Tiwi people in World War II, while preserving cultural knowledge for future generations.

Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero:  Footprints in the Sand), written, translated and illustrated by Mavis Kerinaiua with support from Laura Rademaker, tells the story of Louie Purraputimali Munkara, Mavis’ grandfather, who played a pivotal role in protecting Northern Australia during the war.

“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,” says Mavis Kerinaiua.

The bilingual picture book, written in both Tiwi and English, highlights the landscapes, language and cultural knowledge of the Tiwi Islands, while documenting an important chapter of Australia’s wartime history that remains little known outside the Community.

Mavis Kerinaiua says, “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,”

The book sheds light on a hidden wartime contribution and explores the role of Tiwi people, including those known as the “Black Diggers,” in patrolling and protecting Australia’s northern coastline during World War II. It recounts events such as the bombing of Nguiu Mission and Darwin, coastal shipwrecks, and sheds light on the active defence of Country by Tiwi Communities. 

Mavis Kerinaiua says the story has long been preserved within Tiwi oral history, and publishing it is an act of truth-telling and healing.

This project was also supported by Laura Rademaker from the Australian National University through their project ‘Beyond Reconciliation: Truth-Telling for Indigenous Wellbeing’ and the Australian Research Council. 

Laura Rademaker says, "It’s been an honour to support Mavis on this project. Our work together has been about using history for healing, on the level of individual healing, right though healing our nation. Mavis’ book is an important part of that. She tells a story about First Nations courage that I think all Australians should know.”

Featuring beautiful illustrations, the book brings the Tiwi Islands’ landscapes to life, inspired by Mavis’ family’s experiences and deep connection to Country she says, “I illustrated the book by envisioning what it will be like those days, the landscape and what my grandfather would have done. Because it's my home, my Country, so I thought of having the places in there, like the cliffs and the rocks and trees, the sky, the colours.

“I wanted to put the colours in there so people can enjoy and see how beautiful our island is.”

The book is dedicated to Mavis’ mother, “Nyurratuwu Ruth Pakiliyanuwu” (“For Ruth”), and says the story is a source of pride for her family and Community.

“I think that was the important story that was told to us as children growing up. And we felt so proud and honoured that our grandfather was part of this and other family members too,” says Mavis.

“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.”

The book also carries an enduring message of leadership and cultural continuity.

In Tiwi, the book states: “Wuta paparliwi purrumwari nanki mwarlapwara ngini ngapapuruka wutawa ngirramini ngini putuwurupura.” This translates to “Our ancestors left footprints for us to follow their ways.”

Mavis says documenting these histories is vital for education, remembrance and cultural preservation.

“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. 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.”

She hopes to continue working with Tiwi families to produce more books about wartime experiences, Mission life and Dreaming stories.

“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. Having Grandpa and Matthias [Ulungura, another war hero] looking after the people and the Country, 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. Peace to all. Farewell. Pongki (peace).” - END -

Book details: Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero:  Footprints in the Sand) Written, translated and illustrated by Mavis Kerinaiua with support from Laura Rademaker. ISBN: 9781923179400; rrp: $29.99. Hardback.  Bilingual in English and Tiwi. Available now.  Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

About us:

About the author: Mavis Kerinaiua is the granddaughter of Louis Purraputimali Munkara and a Tiwi historian, educator and researcher. She has contributed to historical exhibits at the Northern Territory Library and the Patakijiyali Museum and worked as a researcher for the Australian National University and Flinders University. She has worked in cultural liaison for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and in education on Bathurst Island. Creator of the Turtuni Framework for research practice, Kerinaiua is an expert in culturally responsive and appropriate research. 

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. They are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice. 

 In 2024 the ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s or young adult literature.   

Contact details:

Jackie Evans, Publicist |Mobile: 0407 776 222 

 E: [email protected]