Aboriginal communities across the state will be celebrating the nation’s first ever Aboriginal Languages Week thanks to a new NSW Government grants program.
NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, to raise awareness about Aboriginal languages and increase support for language revitalisation, is being held for the first time in NSW from Sunday 22 October to Sunday 29 October.
The NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris will kick off the first Aboriginal Languages Week with a festival on Saturday 21 October at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.
$78,620 has been awarded to 16 organisations to promote and celebrate language revitalisation work in their communities.
Events include:
- a cultural tour in Fingal Head
- language activities at La Perouse public school
- interactive language lessons with Elders in McLean
- workshops in Lambton
- Anaiwan language camp in Armidale
- a day long festival in Mogo.
The theme of the Aboriginal Languages Week 2023 is “Languages Alive, Culture Thrives”.
Events and activities have been supported by a new grants program administered by the Aboriginal Languages Trust.
Aboriginal Languages Week will be celebrated annually to coincide with the passing of the Aboriginal Languages Act into law on 24 October 2017. NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia, with legislation in place to preserve and enhance Aboriginal languages.
Get more information about the Aboriginal Languages Week and a list of events on Aboriginal Languages Trust website.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“The first ever NSW Aboriginal Languages Week is taking place to shine a spotlight on Aboriginal languages across the state, and these grants support Aboriginal communities to join the celebrations and showcase their languages.
“I am proud that this Government has more than doubled the investment into Aboriginal communities to support their efforts to reawaken and reclaim languages and they now have their own week special week to celebrate.”
“Language means everything to these communities – it’s part of their past, has shaped who they are today and must be preserved, enhanced and celebrated for the future.
“There’s an exciting range of events planned by local Communities for NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, and I encourage everyone to get involved.”
Executive Director of the Aboriginal Languages Trust Clare McHugh said:
“NSW Aboriginal Languages Week grants are a response to calls from Aboriginal communities for increased opportunities to celebrate and promote their languages.
“We often hear from communities how NSW Aboriginal languages are alive and growing because of the hard work and dedication of people in communities over many decades, and communities want to celebrate these achievements.”
