The FATSIL NEWSLETTER JANUARY, 2001
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CORPORATION OF LANGUAGES
VOLUME 17
Kaadadjiny Noongar Waangkiny
Thinking, listening and learning Noongar language
Derek Nannup, Kyle Morrison and Irma Woods, members of the Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, bring language and culture to life in the company's production of Djildjit (fish). The collection of traditional stories and songs is designed to reach out to young audiences with the best elements of modern theatre to support the production.
Something I've heard raised at nearly every language meeting, forum, or conference over the past few years is the matter of gaining easier access to the language material that's been stored at AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies) in Canberra.
It was really interesting then to be involved in discussions with representatives from AIATSIS, about the legalities relating to the release of material placed in the Institute.
Derek Nannup, Kyle Morrison and Irma Woods, members of the Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, bring language and culture to life in the company's production of Djildjit (fish). The collection of traditional stories and songs is designed to reach out to young audiences with the best elements of modern theatre to support the production.
ATSICs National Policy Office staff Jackie Oakley and Lyn Ella (standing) with Cohn Strand and Commissioners Rodney Dillon and Preston Thomas.
ATSIC Commissioners Rodney Dillon and Preston Thomas attended the December meeting of the FATSIL Governing Committee in Canberra, adding their support to moves aimed at raising the profile of languages, both within the Commission and with related outside agencies.
Staff from ATSIC National Policy Office also attended, to discuss FATSIL's role in the development of a national language policy.
From March 2001, we will begin compiling language tapes and will provide them free of charge to Indigenous individuals and communities within the budget of the grant. We need to know who needs these tapes and what languages we need to concentrate on.
Of the thirteen dialects spoken by the Noongar people at the time of white settlement, only five still main. But while the number of fluent adult speakers has fallen dramatically, growing enthusiasm and energy in a variety of education programs has seen a revival in the teaching and use of Noongar language by people of all ages. Noongar territory covers the area from Jurien Bay to Southern Cross, and to the south between Esperance and Ravensthorpe.
Irma Woods teaches children to respect and protect the habitats and young of the little silver Djildjit (fish) swimming in the oceans.
YirraYaakin's stage designers have incorporated vivid colours and beautiful textiles to help enliven the telling of 'Woggal the carpet snake',`the Mulloway and the little fish', and other stories presented with permission from the traditional custodians.The theatre group, formed in 1993, has performed to over 20,000 young students and teachers in the past three years, and is Western Australia's only indigenous performing arts company.The name YirraYaakin means "stand tall".
The scope of productions from YirraYaakin ranges from world class theatre company to hands-on community development.
Included in this company's annual program are projects as far ranging and diverse as youth arts residencies in the Pilbara, dance workshops in Kwinana, performances at National Festivals along with world premieres of plays by leading Aboriginal writers.
Some of the most commonly asked questions at language forums relate to the setting up of both community and school based language teaching programs. In New South Wales the Board of Studies has responded to the need for this information with the publication of Teaching Aboriginal Languages — Case Studies'. The book presents six case studies, including one from the Northern Territory, which allow readers to gain from the experiences of those who have already established effective language teaching programs.This extract is from the case study of the Bowraville Central School.
Zeminda Walker (above), finds herself in the spotlight after graduating with a school certificate in Aboriginal Languages.
SIX years after starting Gumbaynggir language classes at the Bowraville Central School, Zeminda Walker has become the first New South Wales student to graduate from year ten with a school certificate in Aboriginal Languages. Zeminda's first lessons started at home, learning words and phrases from her father Ken Walker, before the formal classes were introduced at Bowraville Central School in 1994.
In our last issue we profiled a number of FATSIL delegates, and here complete the coverage of the team with the introduction of the representatives from South Australia, Queensland,Tasmania and the Torres Strait Islands.
EACH year the location of the FATSIL AGM changes to ensure that all States and Territories are given the opportunity to host the meeting, and to allow local members in each area to attend with the least expense.
This year, the AGM will be held in Cairns, North Queensland, and will again be combined with a National Language Forum. The date of the meeting hasn't been confirmed, but is being planned for late September or October 2001. Details of the meeting will be given in the March edition of "The Voice of the Land."
FATSIL Members, Language Centres and Management Committees are encouraged to apply for funds in the financial year 2001/2002 within ATSILIP guidelines, to travel to the national Language Forum. This will be a significant opportunity to contribute to policy development, planning for education programs and improving community access to language resources for members of the stolen generation.
FATSIL committee members have attended a number of meetings recently. In October, delegates were invited to Parliament House to meet with the Standing Committee Inquiring into the needs of urban dwelling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Discussion centred on the need for Government to give greater recognition to languages when developing policies that will affect the welfare of indigenous communities.
This was followed by a meeting with Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Bob McMullen, who asked to be kept up to date with the developments in the area of national funding, and to be allowed the opportunity to meet with FATSIL in the future.
