The FATSIL NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER, 2001
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CORPORATION OF LANGUAGES
VOLUME 20
Bush Mechanics Push Warlpiri on to the Screen
The ABC and Warlpiri Media's 'Bush Mechanics - The Series' gave viewers a unique and hilarious insight into both contemporary and traditional Aboriginal culture. The four part series followed the exploits and ingenous car repair techniques of the Warlpiri Bush Mechanics, as they travelled through central Australia. The popular series highlighted the opportunities that exist for the creation of a National Indigenous Broadcasting or Communications Services, which would include a TV station for Indigenous programming and greatly boost the promotion of languages.
Joshua Nelson, (in red cap) and Billy Stafford on the way to Mt Allen
Photo courtesy
ABC TV.
Exciting news for everyone with the announcement of the proposed National Indigenous Broadcasting service.This would be an incredible boost not only for the promotion of languages, but for the full expression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and identity, presented in the lounge rooms of Australia, and before too long, overseas as well.
THE push to increase the budget allocation for Language Initiative Programs has gained momentum, with support in principle from both the Chair and Vice Chairperson of the ATS1C Commission.
In an interview in Sydney,ATS1C Chairperson Geoff Clark, a member of the Peek Wurrung language group, called on communities and organisations to incorporate the use of local language into their own work as a matter of course. "If you listen to the presentations by visiting international speakers, the opening address is always in language. Something that we can do quite simply is to start using language for the naming of our reports and conferences."
Kanatishon Glenda Deer and her husband from the Mohawk Indian nation attended the Cairns conference. They are pictured with ATSIC Commissioner Terry O'Shane from North Queensland.
A record attendance at the FATS1L National Indigenous Languages Forum in Cairns North Queensland, resulted in a range of recommendations which will be incorporated into FATS1L's operational plan for 2002.
Over one hundred representatives of language programs and key organisations used panel discussions to examine topics related to education, research and the effective use of resources.The focus of the language forum was assisting people to regain access to language where contact with family and country had been lost.
The course graduates are: Lola Hayward, Dawn Ugle, Sonny Graham, Maxine, Williams, Purtungana Bangu, Hazel Hobbs, Maureen Yanawana, Noeleen Bartlett, Edith Maher, Nora Ormerod, Rikki Papertalk, Lorraine Tuia, George Walley, Iris Woods, Kayleen Arnold, Nora Cooke and Janet Stewart
MORE West Australian students will be able to learn Aboriginal languages after seventeen Department of Education staff graduated from a training course in Perth recently. The group has completed the Department's Aboriginal Languages Teacher training Course this week, taking to 51 the number of people who have done the course since the program began in 1998.
Lola Jones, the Aboriginal Languages Project Officer with the Education Dept. in the Kimberley District and our contact person for the story above, lives with a constant reminder of the success of the Bush Mechanics series. It's parked on the vacant lot next to her house in Broome! Lola says she spent plenty of time listening to the boys thrashing the car around the block, and is happy now to see it resting quietly after all the fuss is over.
Pictured is the `Napa car', so-called because of the Rain Dreaming painted on the car by Thomas Jungala Rice, one of the main custodians of the Napa Tjukurrpa (Rain Dreaming).
Reg Little, from the Bidjara Media and Broadcasting service 4RRFM, at the National Indigenous Communications Summit in Rockhampton.
A new commonwealth funded, Indigenous communications service would give a major boost to the promotion of languages and culture, while ensuring the adequate resourcing and coordination of established Indigenous media services throughout Australia.
The proposed National Indigenous Broadcasting/ Communications Service would be established within a structure similar to that of SBS, linking all areas of Indigenous media services and eventually reaching an international audience.
The Torres Strait Islander language program in Queensland is being strengthened and re-designed to meet the challenge of cultural survival.
The process is being spearheaded by the Queensland Torres Strait Islander Language Consultative Committee, in conjunction with Magani Malu Kes, host organisation for the Queensland Torres Strait Islander language program.The elders who are the custodians of our language and culture, will play a key role in language maintenance.
VISIT the FATSIL website to catch an overview of the organisation and its functions, the language centres and other contact agencies, and find newsletter articles selected from the Voice of the Land.As the website continues to, grow, we'll bring you new publications and research papers, and keep you up to date with news from around Australia and overseas. FATSIL would like to thank David Nathan for his work in developing the site and providing inspiration for future direction, as we work to develop an authoritative resource for Indigenous languages.
HELLO everybody, it's deadly work that all you mob do, making sure that our languages are strong, and keep on helping the languages that maybe are a little bit weak. But just want to say keep up the good work and make sure we stay strong and proud whaddayow. Our languages go far back in time that no one can comprehend but the Indigenous people of Australia. Our languages - our country. Always was and always will be.
ATSIC's Broadcasting and Languages area and Heritage, Arts and Culture are now known as the National Arts, Culture, Broadcasting and Languages Program Centre which has relocated to Alice Springs, and the National Heritage and Environment Program Centre, now in Hobart.
Ms Tamelyn Hall is the acting Executive Program Officer for the National Arts, Culture, Broadcasting and Languages Program Centre.
Contact details are:
Jock Nelson Centre, 16 Hartley St
Alice Springs 0870 PO Box 2255
Alice Springs 0871
In a draft discussion paper entitled "The Need for Community Consultation to assist in the Development of Aboriginal Language Programs in schools", Kevin Lowe examines a number of issues raised during the development of Aboriginal language programs in NSW schools. This extract from the draft document focuses on the concerns related to copyright, and the development of an appropriate language protocols framework.
Kevin Lowe is Chief Education Officer with the Aboriginal Curriculum Unit — Office of the Board of Studies NSW.
Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is now calling for applications for the Research Grants Program 2002.The closing date for applications is 31 January 2002. All applicants will be informed of the success or otherwise of their grant applications in July 2002.
Lester Coyne has been returned as FATSIL Chairperson for six term, in the election for executive position held in conjuction with the recent AGM in Cairns. Denise Karpany, from South Australia was again voted to the position of Vice Chairperson, and Barbra McGillivray (Western Australia) continues in the role of committee Sectetary. The committee thanked outgoing Treasurer Sandra Smith, from Victoria for the time and service she has given over the past five years. Doris Paton, also a Victorian delegate, takes over the role of Treasurer. Here are some of the faces from the Cairns Indigenous Language Forum
