Speaking Our Minds

Speaking our Minds

Indigenous languages hold the key to reconciliation

A story by Bruce Pascoe published in the AEU News, the Magazine of the Victorian Branch of the AEU, Vol 21, Issue 3, May 2015.

Indigenous Languages Collections Strategy

First Languages Australia is working with Australia's major libraries and archives to implement the National Indigenous Collections Strategy (2013). Since 2010, the group has been meeting with, and coordinating meetings between, representatives from key state and national collecting agencies. The outcome of these discussions was formulated in to a strategy document which was published last year.

Exciting projects are already being implemented by a number of our major libraries and archives.

Education initiatives

From training through to employment, First Languages Australia is working with policy makers and educators to help overcome the issues facing those involved with the teaching and learning of first languages.

Efforts are currently being directed to the following strategic and policy areas:

• Curriculum development and implementation, through ongoing consultation with the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) for the Australian Curriculum, and state governments for regional developments.
• Governments and education authorities, to establish consistent and equitable pay rates and sustainable career paths for those teaching first languages in schools.
• Resource development, with a view to safeguarding the rights of language speakers and building capacity within communities to create resources.

First Languages Australia has also developed some engaging tools that teachers can use in cross-curricular and Indigenous language programs, including the Gambay languages map and Marrin Gamu.

In November 2016, First Languages Australia held the National Indigenous Languages Teaching and Employment forum in Adelaide. The forum brought together representatives from Language Centres, Departments of Education in each State and Territory, first languages teachers, universities and TAFEs with involvement in the training of language teachers, and other significant stakeholders.

This was the first step towards the development of a national strategy for the training and employment of Indigenous language teachers. The need for a national strategy follows the roll-out of the Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages by ACARA.

The inclusion of Indigenous languages in education is a high priority affecting all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. First Languages Australia will continue to work with stakeholders to develop and implement a national strategy for the training and employment of Indigenous language teachers.

Following the 2016 forum, First Languages has worked with each of the states and territories to compile Nintrianganyi: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teaching and Employment Strategy, and the companion document Global lessons: Indigneous languages and multilingualism in school programs. These resources are designed to help education departments, schools and local communities understand what is needed to sustain the provision of a local language curriculum.

Thank you for organising and facilitating the Forum. We had a great time and felt privileged to be part of the Forum. We gained an insight into the amazing work that is happening all over the country and made many new friends.

Clare Mclean, Manager Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga

Our Mother Tongue: GunaiKurnai

Read more: Our Mother Tongue: GunaiKurnai

Our Mother Tongue: Woiwurrung

Read more: Our Mother Tongue: Woiwurrung

Wiradjuri

Read more: Wiradjuri

Video postcard from Bungambrewatha

Read more: Video postcard from Bungambrewatha

Strong sister

Read more: Strong sister

From Dhungala with love

Butchulla lullaby

My mala love to clap

A film in Gumbaynggirr language

Read more: A film in Gumbaynggirr language

Indigenous languages factsheets

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National Young Champions forum in Canberra

Looking to establish a mentoring role with young community members showing a passion for languages, First Languages Australia and the Ministry for the Arts invited a group of youth delegates from around Australia to meet and work with the more experienced language advocates in Canberra.

Read more: National Young Champions forum in Canberra

National Meeting in Canberra

First Languages Australia members met in Canberra recently with staff from the Ministry for the Arts in the Department of the Attorney General to discuss development of future strategies for languages support.

From back left at the meeting were: Anita Mayers, Melinda Holden, George Hayden, Karen Hayward, Nora Cooke, Paul Paton, Kendall Clayton, Alison Todd, Mandy Whitford, Wendy Dalitz, Kylie Nelson. Front row: Bridget Priman, Leonora Adidi, Karina Lester, Geoff Anderson, Bruce Pascoe.