First Languages is a Yarn Raise collection in support of the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) and their programs that contribute to the revival, maintenance and revitalisation of Indigenous First Languages.

Inspired by ALNF’s Literacy is Freedom slogan, we asked some of our collaborating artists to tell us in their language what literacy means to them. Each item features their design, the language group and a translation to English. Putting these words out into the world is a way to honour and respect the First Languages of our country, and to honour and respect the power of literacy in all languages.

Chosen by Luke Mallie, Dikarr means ‘Magic’ in the Kuku Yalanj Language: “My artwork is inspired by the Daintree Rainforest and Dikarr means magic. So there's a lot of magic that happens in the rainforest and down to the ocean where there's the Reef. Language represents connection to country. Everything you hear in languages, it represents an animal or tree or a way of life up in the Daintree. Everything has a purpose and the language relates directly to that.”

For each product sold from the First Languages collection, Yarn will donate $2 to ALNF to support their work with First Languages and literacy. 


Product: Fitted T-Shirt
Colour: Black
Materials: 100% Cotton
Washing: Cold machine wash with similar colours
Artwork: Dikarr 'Magic'
Artist: