Eric Api (Apinya) is celebrated as being the first to write a letter in Pitjantjatjara. He attended the Ernabella school where all students learnt to read and write in their first language — Pitjantjatjara. This was very unusual, and the school is fondly remembered for the quality education it gave. Ernabella school was a positive exception to what was on offer for most Aboriginal children. Other schools banned Indigenous languages from being spoken, were often run by untrained people and didn't go beyond Grade 3.
The letter and its translation were published in the Ernabella news letter.
Reproduced courtesy of Ara Irititja. It may be printed or saved for research or study. Use for any other purpose requires written permission from Ara Irititja.