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The Palaszczuk Government has announced funding for 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language preservation and revival initiatives around Queensland.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said $100,000 worth of grants co-funded by DATSIP and the Department of Education would support activities across the state.
“Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to preserve, speak and engage in society through their language of choice is a critical part of providing equal access to opportunities, inclusion and supporting rich, cultural diversity in Queensland,” Ms Trad said.
“It’s also vital to preserving Queensland’s history.
“There were once more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in Queensland and today less than 20 are still used as a first language.”
Education Minister Grace Grace said it was pleasing to see so many different organisations getting involved in the initiative.
“Ensuring children learn Indigenous languages is an integral part of preservation – our younger generations are the pioneers of tomorrow who will be responsible for carrying traditional languages into the future,” Ms Grace said.
“It is wonderful to see so many Elders and Traditional Owner groups working with local community organisations, schools and kindergarten providers to share and transfer knowledge of their traditional languages to younger generations.
“Successful initiatives include the creation of new apps and dictionaries, recording oral language, and traditional language programs in schools.”
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council has secured the $15,000 grant for their Indigenous Language Preservation Program, creating an app for the younger children of the community to teach and preserve the Kuku Yalanji language.
Burketown Primary Parents and Citizens Association and Ananda Marga River School Parents and Friends Association have been awarded $7,500 grants each for their language revival programs which aim to introduce traditional language in each of their schools.
A further 28 community-led programs across the state have received $2,500 grant funding to preserve and revitalise Indigenous languages in Queensland.
The following initiatives are being supported to deliver Indigenous language preservation and revitalisation:
Attribution: Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad.
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