To whoever it may concern
Community groups, language programs and some pockets of research and education are passionately working around Australia to maintain and revive the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Community language classes, local language naming initiatives and a small number of bilingual education efforts are some examples of the positive work happening today; but the environment in which this work is done is still critically fragile. The commitment and connection to the health of these languages is strong in communities, but needs considerably more support to ensure continuity of approach and personnel, training of more Aboriginal linguists and teachers, and informed recognition throughout not only Aboriginal but also the wider Australian community of the wealth of culture and knowledge that language sustains. Australia’s linguistic diversity is unique in the world and fundamentally important to the rights and identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. At a time when Aboriginal communities are in particular focus, with new awareness of inequalities of healthcare and other support systems, uncertainty as to government response to trauma in communities, and international events such as the new UN Declaration of Indigenous Human Rights, this richness in heritage now more than ever needs consistent, strategic and long term coordination on all levels to grow.
State and Territory representatives from Aboriginal Language Centres, Tertiary Institutions recently gathered at a National Indigenous Languages Conference during 25-27th September to talk about current state and territory language initiatives as well as discuss strategies to revitalise, maintain and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Languages.
We, the participants of the National Indigenous Languages Conference bring to your immediate attention the Key Recommendations of that conference:
1. That all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages be written into the Constitution and recognised as Official Languages of our traditional country.
This recognition would respect the rights that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have including:
· The right to be educated in their own languages (as stated in the United Nations Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples)
· The right to interpreting and translating in a court of law and elsewhere;
· The right to have our traditional language recognised as the/an official language in our traditional country;
· The right to have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placenames recognised;
· The right to have laws written in traditional languages, when deemed necessary by the community, so as to make them accessible for everyone.
2. That the Federal Government recognise that speaking an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language is a contributor to social cohesion and well being for all Indigenous people which includes knowledge and use of our kinship relationships relevant in a culturally diverse society.
3. That the government and its agencies take Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages seriously and value their importance. Communication about government business (health, social security, policing etc.) and education are most effective if conducted using people’s first language.
4. That Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and linguistics courses be developed within the national VET curriculum and within teacher training institutions. The delivery of VET programs should be supported across state and territory borders.
5. That Federal and State Education Departments commit funds and resources:
i) to train Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers to teach their own languages;
ii) to develop ways of recognising prior linguistic and cultural knowledge of community language speakers with the development of national standards to measure language proficiency. This process could be based on the current Competencies model used by Pundulmarra College in Western Australia.
iii) to support communities to develop school curriculum and resources in their own language.
6. That Aboriginal communities have "the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning" (Article 15 of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights).
Also it is recommended that:
a) Bilingual education programs that have been closed or reduced be reinstated and given continued support.
b) That the community be allowed the right to become involved in curricula and materials development as well as local teacher education. Bilingual education programs should be equally a community development process alongside the educational process.
c) That consultations for bilingual school developments be conducted with all communities and that initiatives be put in place to train local Aboriginal teachers.
7. That the Federal Government in conjunction with Indigenous language speakers and State and Territory governments develop a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Policy.
8. That a review be called to recommend means of implementation for the recommendations of the National Indigenous Languages Survey report 2005 which to date have not been implemented,. In particular, consideration for the following recommendations:
Recommendation 1: That a pilot national program of Indigenous Language Nests be created and implemented
Recommendation 4. That a feasibility study be undertaken to evaluate the best set up for a National Indigenous Language Centre
9. That the Federal Government ratify the United Nations declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
10. That an inquiry be held into the likely effects of the Federal Government intervention into Northern Territory communities on Aboriginal languages and cultures. As a result of this inquiry, immediate steps must be taken to ensure that support structures be put in place and measures be taken to minimise disruptive effects.
The time for talking has long since passed, we strongly urge that immediate and drastic action be taken to preserve our Nation’s most significant heritage- Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Language.
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