MOU signed with AIATSIS

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 consults on New South Wales draft languages legislation

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.

First Languages Australia and ABC National Media Project

Federal Minister launches First Languages Australia – ABC Media 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.

Puliima call for presentations and workshops

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

Make a #MemeML for International Mother Language Day

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

Miromaa awarded Community Organisation of the Year

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.”

Western Australia Traineeship for Language Teachers

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

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

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. 

Marrin Gamu Indigenous Langauages Song Competition 2017

Read more: Marrin Gamu Indigenous Langauages Song Competition 2017

Draft Indigenous Languages Teaching and Employment Strategy

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.

Ma Wal – Working together: First Languages Australia and language centres

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

Puliima 2017

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

Read more: Puliima 2017

ABC Regional announce the Placenames Project partnership with FLA for 2018

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!

Upcoming meetings in Canberra

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.

Legislation Recognising and Protecting NSW Aboriginal Languages

On the 19th of October 2017, NSW became the first state in Australia to pass legislation
through its Parliament recognising the importance of Aboriginal languages.
The legislation acknowledges that Aboriginal languages underpin Aboriginal identity and the
revival and teaching of languages must accord with local community aspirations. It focuses
on the NSW Government working in partnership with Aboriginal communities to support the
revival of Aboriginal languages and raise awareness amongst the broader NSW population.

Read more here: http://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/languages-legislation 

Young Champions at Puliima National Indigenous Languages and Technology Forum

First Languages Australia was once again delighted to be able to support a group of young language champions to attend both the Ma Wal and the Puliima Forum in Cairns in October. In a plenary session, the group of dedicated and enthusiastic young language workers each gave a presentation on the work they are doing to increase the use of their languages. The presentations were inspirational and heart-warming, bringing tears to the eyes of many. You can read their report and watch the presentation videos here.