2018 is the tenth anniversary of the MILE program run by the University of Sydney This important program is designed for Indigenous educators who
wish to develop their knowledge and skills as teachers and specialise in teaching their language/s.
Read more: The Masters of Indigenous Language Education (MILE) turns 10
In the past, some language centres have had trouble registering for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. To receive DGR status organisations must have a charitable purpose that is for the benefit of the public. Language centres should no longer have trouble getting their charity, PBI or DGR status recognised.
In 2014, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) was established as the independent national regulator of charities. That year, the ACNC released The Commissioner’s Interpretation Statement: Indigenous charities. In line with this statement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language centres meet the public benefit test as they are working to address disadvantage. You can read the statement here: https://www.acnc.gov.au/ACNC/Publications/Interp_IndigenousCharities.aspx
Information of specific to language centres, compiled by First Languages Australia and the ACNC, is published as page 51 of Warra: Building teams, building resources.
If you need further guidance please do not hesitate to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Increased access to language materials, collaboration and promotion of language projects
are the focus of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed by the
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and First
Languages Australia in May.
AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie said the partnership is especially significant given the
Institute’s role as caretakers of a vast collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
language materials. First Languages Australia Manager Faith Baisden said it is essential
that both organisations honour the trust placed in them by the language custodians.
‘This means that we work together to see that language knowledge is securely archived,
and that we find ways to make it more accessible for community members when they need
to research and use the materials for new language projects,’ Ms Baisden said.
http://aiatsis.gov.au/news-and-events/news/strengthening-australias-first-languages
First Languages Australia is pleased to be involved in consultations with the government of New South Wales to draft legislation to recognise and promote Aboriginal languages in that state.
Speaking at the launch of the drafting of the legislation Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams, acknowledged the impact that language use has on wellbeing within communities.
"We know that Aboriginal people who speak their language are healthier, Aboriginal children learning a language do better at school, and that language renewal strengthens communities. If legislation can so effectively take away Aboriginal language, so too it can restore and revive Aboriginal language.” Said the Minister.
First Languages Australia Manager Faith Baisden, spoke with Minister Williams at the launch and will continue to offer input to the process with a view to seeing it replicated in other states and territories.
Caption: Lionel Lovett from Parkes, Minister for Communications and the Arts Mitch Fifield, Geoff Anderson from First Languages Australia, and Nick Lowther Chief of Staff ABC Western Plains, at the launch of ABC- First Languages Australia Regional radio call-sign IDs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Project.The ABC Regional – First Languages Australia, Radio Call-sign IDs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Project was launched by the Federal Minister for Communications and the Arts Mitch Fifield, at the Artlands Regional Arts Conference in Dubbo in October.
First Languages Australia Committee Member Geoff Anderson, was thrilled to represent the organisation at the launch and to meet the Minister to discuss other national initiatives to promote and support languages. Parkes language teacher Lionel Lovett, also met with the Minister after the launch, which was attended by hundreds of arts workers from around the country.
The planning and preparations for Puliima 2017 have begun, and the deadline for presentation and workshop submissions is Monday 27th February 2017.
Find all the details here
Once again First Languages Australia is working with our international partners to encourage the use of our languages on social media to celebrate International Mother Language Day.
This year we are having a meme challenge and calling on you to share memes in your language over the next few weeks. You can find all the details here.
Post your meme with the #MemeML and #yourlanguagename to participate. And tag us@firstlanguagesaustralia on Facebook if you would like us to share your image.
Read more: Make a #MemeML for International Mother Language Day
First Languages Australia would like to extend congratulations to the dedicated team at the Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre, on receiving the Community Organisation of the Year Award at the inaugural National Dreamtime Awards.
“To be sitting alongside the other nominees in itself was an amazing achievement, but to
win was a moment which is hard to put into words,” Daryn McKenny said. “To then be
announced as winners with the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Clinton Pryor, Stan Grant and
Gawurra was like a dream.”
2017 has seen continued interest and enrolment in the WA Department of Education Traineeship for Aboriginal Languages Teachers. There is currently a total of 36 trainees: 18 who have completed Stage 1 and 2 ( Intake 17) and 18 who have completed Orientation for Intake 18. The traineeship, which has been running successfully for more than twenty years, is the only training program that provides community members with a pathway to teaching their languages independently in the classroom.
First Languages Australia is advocating for each state and territory to adopt such a model. FLA would like to acknowledge Coleen Sherratt and Lola Jones for their ongoing commitment to the development and delivery of the program and the support of each of their trainees and teachers.
WA Aboriginal language teacher trainees
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has implemented a curriculum based on the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages. The Victorian Aboriginal Languages curriculum is now being taught across the state with over 1,000 Victorian students participating in Aboriginal language programs. VCAA also produced ‘Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures’ which outlines the mandatory content descriptions relating to Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum.
Read more: Marrin Gamu Indigenous Langauages Song Competition 2017
First Languages Australia has collated advice and expertise from the National Indigenous Languages Teaching and Employment Forum held in Adelaide in 2016 into a Draft Indigenous Languages Teaching and Employment Strategy. The draft strategy has been sent to departmental staff, training partners and forum participants for their feedback before prioritising actions. The document can be downloaded here. Feedback will be collated into a final document for distribution in 2018.
To make the most of having so many of us together in Cairns for Puliima, First Languages Australia hosted Ma Wal, a national meeting of language centres and programs, the day before the forum.
Ma Wal provided a much-needed opportunity for people across the country to share stories of how they are participating in FLA’s national activities and contribute to the direction of the organisation in the coming years.
It was an energetic and inspiring day, made special by the enthusiasm of each of the 100 attendees, the passion of First Languages Australia’s committee, and the dedication of our staff. First Languages Australia would like to thank everyone who took part.
Download the meeting notes here: MaWalDoc.pdf
The Puliima National Indigenous Languages and Technology Forum was once again a great success. Among the inspiring presentations and workshops, First Languages Australia
hosted these panel sessions:
Our Young Champions
From little things, big things grow: Working with partners
First Languages Australia and the ABC
Language activities and wellbeing
What are the links?
The National Placenames Project.
A presentation by Bruce Pascoe
In their ongoing commitment to collaborating with language workers around the country to promote our languages, ABC Regional have approved a Placenames Project in conjunction with First Languages Australia as the focus of the partnership for 2018.
The project will roll out in a similar way to Mother Tongue with producers from each of the ABC’s 50 regional stations working with interested local communities to share placenames and their stories.
The details are still being finalised - so watch this space!
First Languages Australia committee members have been invited to Canberra to meet with advisors to key government ministries in December. These discussions will focus on how languages are important to and can be supported by, their portfolio areas.
A meeting with the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council is planned for early 2018.