$11 million to safeguard Indigenous languages in schools

The Federal Government plans to deliver $11 million in grants to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language education in primary schools as part of its commitment to Closing the Gap.

More than 40 communities across Australia will benefit from 26 projects under the First Nations Languages Education Program through community-driven collaborations to teach local languages.

“This is all about strengthening the teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages,” Minister for Education Jason Clare said.

“It’s important we safeguard and strengthen local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in community.

“That’s why we’re providing funding to help more young Australians develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the first languages and cultures of this country.”

The initiative recognises that each community will have different aspirations and needs for teaching and sustaining First Nations languages.

The two-year projects will support the development of more than 100 trainee language educators and partnerships with more than 70 schools.

The Program has been developed in partnership with First Languages Australia (FLA), the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

The Program aims to progress Target 16 of Closing the Gap, to support a sustained increase in the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said as a proud Yanyuwa Garrwa woman she knew of the importance of languages in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“This investment in community led organisations will mean more First Nations languages are taught in schools, ensuring they thrive into the future,” Senator McCarthy said.

Several applicants commented on the new funding. One from South Australia said: “Our language has not been used as an everyday language for some time. There are no fluent speakers, only two speakers confident in the use of grammar structures, and 10-12 speakers with pronunciation skills.

“Within the next five years, it is hoped that there will be enough language teachers for our language to be taught as a language in primary classrooms within the region.”

Another, from Queensland, added: “Our language is a highly endangered language, with less than 10 elderly speakers remaining and three speakers working on this project.

“We recall our childhood, when we started going to school the government took our language away from us, we weren’t allowed to speak our language at school. Now, the school is helping us to bring our language back as part of healing and walking together as a community.”