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.

To do this, the committee is collecting information about the number of people with a range of training, experience and skills and looking to find a way to link them with service users.

Each of our communities have people with skills that can contribute to Language programs. You may have people in your community who are skilled in story telling, translating, research, or are trained child care assistants or teacher aides. Perhaps you have linguists or language project workers in a local organisation.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to provide details of skills that you have and extra skills that you need in your Language programs you can download the audit form, Indigenous Languages Skills Audit (QILAC).

Participants will help us to find out where more skills are needed, where people with expertise can find employment, and where support can be given to developing career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the field of language maintenance, teaching and preservation.

The QSA has developed Queensland’s first syllabuses in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages for schools to start using from 2011. The syllabus has been developed so that students will be able to study the languages associated with their own communities and local areas at school.

QSA states “the syllabuses offer a bridge for bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and schools together”.

“While there are similar syllabuses in other States, Queensland’s are unique by putting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the front and centre of development and implementation.”

QILAC been in consultation with the QSA during the drafting of the syllabus and QILAC Members will continue to meet and consult with the QSA through its trail and implementation.

An important part of this consultation is around the key issues which will impact on the delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language programs in schools. These include:

• community approval and control of language programs,
• appropriate training for language teachers,
• pay scales and career pathways, and
• appropriate development of language resources for the programs.

QILAC member Leonora Adidi is on the Reference Group for the QSA. Faith Baisden is in the Critical Friends group for QSA.

For more information check the Queensland Studies Authority website.

2    Develop and support the use of protocols for language use and research.

3.   Develop and maintain an effective communication network for language communities

4.    Examine government policies and practices relating to Indigenous Languages

5.    Advocate /Speak for Queensland languages locally, nationally and internationally.

6.    Work cooperatively with other state and national organisations and committees

7.        Provide support to community language groups, community organisations and individuals involved in language reclamation and
preservation.

8.    Support ongoing research, strategic planning and resource development.

9.    Support training and accreditation for community language teachers and language workers.

Expressions of interest are invited to take a place on this committee to represent Torres Strait Islander programs on the mainland of Australia.

QILAC members volunteer their expertise and time to achieve the projects outcomes. Approved costs incurred are reimbursed.

Applicants are required to demonstrate capacity in the following areas.

· To be actively engaged in language work with examples given of personal outcomes achieved or innovations in the field of language reclamation and preservation.

· Connection to Torres Strait community groups and/or local and state representative bodies

· Willingness to undertake roles and duties appropriate to the required outcomes of the project and to volunteer time to fill these roles.

· Understanding of regional, state and national issues in regard to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

· Demonstrated capacity for strategic planning and contribution to policy development.

· Availability to attend up to four meetings per year and to participate in teleconferences.

· To be a Torres Strait Islander person

Please email your application to:

Faith Baisden
State Library of Queensland
Indigenous Languages Project.

Ph. 07 38429299

The Aims of QILAC

This site has been made available to share information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Language programs in Queensland, while also having a look at relevant news from interstate and overseas. Please feel free to use the links on the blogsite to make your own contribution and lets see how it grows.

The title Banma Kiya means “Talk”. Banma, from a North Queensland language – Warrgamay, and Kiya, from a southern Queensland language – Yugambeh. We’d love to have your word for banma or kiya as well. Look forward to hearing from you.

Faith Baisden
Coordinator
Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee