Parlingarri karri kurrajakayi bomb pirimi jiliyati karri World War II. Wuta pitirirni kapi ngiya-amini murrakupuni. Karluwu-nara kapi nyoni murrakupuni karluwu wurumajawu naki Tiwi ngirramini kapi war. Awarra naki ngirramini ngini Tiwi kuwampini Louie Purraputimali Munkara.

Before the Japanese bombed Darwin in World War II, they attacked my grandfather's Country. Not many people outside 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 Kerinaiva’s new book, published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, is titled Tiwi War Kwampini, Mwarlapwara Kangi Tingati (Tiwi War Hero, Footsteps in the Sand). 

“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. 

Tiwi War Kwampini is a story about Louie Purraputimali Munkara, Mavis’ grandfather, who was pivotal in the protection of Darwin during World War II. 

‍“Before the Japanese bombed Darwin in World War II, they attacked my grandfather’s Country. 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.”

This beautiful picture book showcases the lands, language, and peoples of the Tiwi Islands. The story is in both English and Tiwi, and shares lore and knowledge that have been passed down for generations. 

• ISBN: 9781922592712

• Language: Tiwi

• Published: April 2026

• Format: Hardback