Warra: Indigenous Languages Youth Forum
First Languages Australia held Warra: Indigenous Languages Youth Forum on Tarntanya Country (Adelaide) in November 2022. Warra brought together more than 80 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language workers from regional communities in each state and territory of Australia.
This event was the first time First Languages Australia has brought together a large number of young people to recognise & celebrate Australia's first languages and the work undertaken by the younger generations of language activists and workers in Australia. The forum provided the opportunity to mentor young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, build professional skills and share experiences and knowledge with each other.
‘Young people are the future, we need you to take up the mantle of language revival so that our languages thrive.’
Annalee Pope
Warra celebrated and refreshed attendees' passion for their language work. The skills and connections gained at the forum will support them in becoming leaders in their communities.
Mentoring sessions were conducted in small groups, led by past young champions alongside a lifelong language activist. These sessions were designed to build and nurture relationships between the young attendees, First Languages Australia and our partner organisations, fostering the development of a network of young language workers. The forum featured practical skills-building workshops such as audio and video recording and editing, language teaching and learning methods, developing media skills in areas of audio and text and increasing your reach through social media.
Young Champions presented on their work within their communities. The presentations were a treasured part of the forum, with presenters sharing their language journey. Attendees shared their ‘why’ for reviving their language, what it means to them, the obstacles they have had to overcome, and the outstanding achievements they have made for their language. These presentations were genuinely inspiring and uplifting.
View the 2022 program here.
Our Partners
Warra First Languages Youth Forum was possible because of the funding support provided by the Australian Government Indigenous Languages Program and Department of Education.
The forum would not have been as successful without the following critical partnerships:
Our national media partner, the ABC, local organisations, local custodians Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi, Mobile Language Team & Tauondi Aboriginal College and Balya productions.
