Nyoka Hatfield from the Dharumbal language program in Rockhampton gave an inspiring presentation on the rewards and challenges she faces in delivering a language program in schools in her area. Nyoka presented a copy of her book “Counting in the Malgadu”  to the Chair of the committee Mr. Shayne Neumann and Deputy Chair Dr. Sharman Stone.

The article summarises the 2009 Social Justice Report released 22 January 2010, and highlights Indigenous Languages as one of three key themes to the report.

Major Reports on Social Justice and Native Title Reveal More Promising Future

Recently retired Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma released his sixth and final Social Justice and Native Title Reports on 22 January 2010.

The reports recognise a marked shift in the Indigenous policy landscape since the National Apology to the Stolen Generations and suggests a more inclusive and promising future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Social Justice Report 2009 focusses on three themes: justice reinvestment to reduce Indigenous over-representation in the criminal justice system; the protection of Indigenous languages; and sustaining Aboriginal homeland communities.

The first theme outlines a convincing argument for an alternative to incarceration offered by the ‘justice reinvestment’ model, which diverts a portion of the funds planned for prison expenditure to local communities where there is a high concentration of offenders.

The second theme provides vital reading for anyone interested in the perilous state of Indigenous languages in Australia and argues that, without intervention, Indigenous language knowledge will cease to exist in Australia in the next 10 to 30 years.

The final theme of the Social Justice Report 2009 highlights the importance of ‘Homelands’ in providing social, spiritual, cultural, health and economic benefits to residents.  It outlines how policies that fail to support the ongoing development of Homelands will lead to social and economic problems in rural townships that could further entrench Indigenous disadvantage and poverty.

The Native Title Report 2009 comprehensively reviews developments in native title law and policy from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 and considers principles and standards that should underpin cultural change in the native title system.

The Report argues for significant improvements to be made to the native title system if we are to close the disadvantage gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and to achieve reconciliation.

In his final Report, Commissioner Calma outlines principles and standards that should be used to guide a new approach to native title and explains how the native title system ought to be viewed in the context of broader reforms to promote and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Report makes 27 recommendations for reform of the native title system concerning several key areas, including shifting the burden of proof, more flexible approaches to connection evidence, and promoting broader and more flexible native title settlement packages.  The Report also comprehensively reviews land tenure reform.

The reports can be accessed online at www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/sj_report/sjreport09/index.html

THE Federal Government has pledged $9.3 million over the coming year to help take 113 indigenous languages off the critically endangered list.

Of 145 spoken dialects, 110 are at risk of being lost, a report in 2005 found.

Announcing the national indigenous languages policy yesterday, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and Arts Minister Peter Garrett said more would be done to raise awareness of the campaign.

“These languages are . . . a significant part of Australia’s heritage and we must ensure they are protected for the benefit of future generations,” Mr Garrett said.

Read the full article:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25905201-953,00.html

Here’s the various links.

Provided by:

Stephen Cassidy
Director, Indigenous Languages and Intangible Culture
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787, Canberra Act 2601
Ph 02 6275 9616 Fax 02 6275 9664 Mob 0407 300 145

…

http://www.alp.org.au/media/0809/msartia090.php

http://www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/languages_policy

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/10/2650659.htm

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/93m-to-save-indigenous-languages-20090809-edza.html

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/93m-to-save-indigenous-languages-20090809-edza.html

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/847818/9-3m-to-save-indigenous-languages

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25904841-2702,00.html

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Politics/2009/08/09/93m_to_save_indigenous_languages_360722.html

http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=594688

…

MEDIA RELEASE:

NATIONAL APPROACH TO PRESERVE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER JENNY MACKLIN, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE AND THE ARTS PETER GARRETT

9 AUGUST 2009

Indigenous languages will live on for future generations of Australians under a new approach being taken by the Australian Government.

The new National Indigenous Languages Policy is aimed at keeping Indigenous languages alive and supporting Indigenous Australians to connect with their language, culture and country.

Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin announced the new approach on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People.

Each year on 9 August the United Nations celebrates and showcases the culture, history and languages of the world’s Indigenous people.

The Government’s new approach to preserving Indigenous language comes as a report found that of the 145 Indigenous languages still spoken in Australia, 110 are at risk of disappearing.

The National Indigenous Languages Survey Report 2005, revealed that the languages under threat are now spoken by only by small groups of people, mostly over 40 years old and are at risk of being lost.

This new national approach will improve coordination between those who are already working to support Indigenous languages including government, cultural institutions, Indigenous languages organisations, and education and research bodies.

It will focus on five key areas:

·          bringing national attention to Indigenous languages;

·          encouraging the use of critically endangered languages to maintain and extend their everyday use as much as possible;

·          making sure that in areas where Indigenous languages are being spoken fully and passed on,  government recognises these languages when it interacts with Indigenous communities;

·          helping restore the use of rarely spoken or unspoken Indigenous languages to the extent that the current language environment allows; and

·          supporting the teaching and learning of Indigenous languages in Australian schools.

“We recognise the intrinsic connection between languages, culture and country and the vital role they play in building and enriching Indigenous community life,” Mr Garrett said.

“These languages are also a significant part of Australia’s heritage, and we must ensure they are protected for the benefit of future generations.

“A focused and coordinated national approach is critical to safeguard Indigenous culture and save these unique languages.”

Ms Macklin said reconnecting with language helped many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to feel proud and strong in their identity.

“It is so important for all people to be aware and proud of their traditions and culture and this, of course, includes celebrating the unique qualities of their own language,” Ms Macklin said.

“Recognising the importance of language and culture is also an essential part of resetting our relationship with Indigenous Australians and working more effectively together”.

“All Australian Governments have committed $38.6 million towards interpreting and translating services as part of the new Remote Service Delivery sites.

We are also committed to introducing a national framework for the effective provision and use of Indigenous language interpreters and translators.”

The Australian Government’s Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records (MILR) program will continue to play a central role in the rescue and maintenance of Indigenous languages.

The program supports 65 projects across Australia involved in the development and use of databases, language resources and the delivery of language programs.

The Australian Government has committed $9.3 million over the next year towards protecting Indigenous languages.

The policy is available at www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/languages_policy

Date: 9 August 2009

Contact: Meg Dixon-Child (Macklin) 0400 116032

PETER GARRETT MP
Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts

JENNY MACKLIN MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs

Holding our tongues is an ABC Hindsight project about the long and painful task of reviving Aboriginal languages.

There are many different places on the net where people can find out about language revival and maintenance. The Holding our tongues site will be an ongoing project, aiming to bring as many of these resources as possible together in one place.

Check out the website to find out more.

Listen to the radio documentary.

The latest edition of UNESCO’s atlas of world languages in danger was launched in Paris yesterday and shows almost half the 6,700 languages spoken worldwide could disappear.

Sarah Cutfield from the Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies says the map is a great resource for those working to preserve traditional languages.

Original ABC article

UNESCO media release

Access to digital atlas

Unesco Endangered languages Worldmap (9M PDF)

AUSTRALIA’S human rights watchdog has accused the Northern Territory ALP government of threatening the existence of the world’s “longest surviving continuous culture” by severely restricting the teaching of Aboriginal languages.

Tom Calma, the nation’s race discrimination commissioner, said yesterday that the decision to mandate four hours of English in a five-hour school day would destroy bilingual teaching programs and prevent written culture being passed on to future generations.

Read the full article

The report was prepared by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), funded by the Australian Government’s School Languages Program.

The report provides a snapshot of the current situation of Indigenous language education in schools across Australia.

Over 16 000 Indigenous students and 13 000 non-Indigenous students located in 260 Australian schools are involved in an Indigenous language program.

The report reveals that over 80 different Indigenous languages are taught in schools throughout Australia.

The report found that learning an Indigenous language can enhance a range of social and academic outcomes for all students.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting languages education in Australian schools. The School Languages Program provides funding of $112 million from 2005 to 2008 to support the learning of all languages, including Indigenous languages.

The Australian Government has also committed $540 million to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes and close the gap in educational attainment for Indigenous Australians.

The Government firmly believes that all Australian students need to be proficient in English to be able to full participate in the world of work and further study.

The new report Indigenous Language Programs in Australian Schools — A Way Forward is available for download.

Media Contact:
Deputy Prime Minister’s Press Office: 02 6722 7758
media@deewr.gov.au