Hi Everyone,
I’m Paul Herbert and have recently been appointed National Manager for FATSIL. I originally come from Lajamanu in the Northern Territory and have gone from there to Katherine, then Adelaide and now here in Melbourne, within a relatively short time frame. As you can imagine, I’m already missing the bush and the pleasure of being able to safely walk around barefoot.
We have been working on finding out what our members, other language organisations, and people working in Indigenous language development want from FATSIL. We see our immediate challenges as establishing a solid line of communication between all stakeholder and FATSIL, listening to what you want, and then making changes that will enable us to work most effectively for you. To this end we have commenced a number of initiatives. They include:
The Indigenous Languages Institute was held from the 8th to the 10th of July at the Koori Centre of the University of Sydney. It was a chance for people concerned with the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages to get together and talk about what they’ve been doing.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, from Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island, North East Arnhemland, is one of the most gifted musicians in Australia. Also know as Gudjuk, his traditional skin name, Yunupingu sings in Gumatj, Galpu (his mother’s language), Djambarrpuynu and English. His song are about his ancestors, Yolnu country, sacred places and totems. Here is Wiyathul, Scrub Fowl, song.
So what’s so important about reclaiming a language? Well, language is a part of me, a part of my culture and my identity. It belongs to me. I want to reclaim my language but it really takes an enormous amount of work and much time and energy. Here are a few tips for people who are also trying to reclaim their language. First, you need your community’s support. Start by speaking your language and see what sort of responses from people you get. Talk with your Elders and find out whether they like the idea. Find out if they want to be involved. They might like the idea but don’t have the energy to get involved. Keep in mind that you do need their approval to go forward.
Portrait of Derrimut by Benjamin Duterau, 1837, State Library NSW
Yallukit Willam, Ngaruk Willarn, Mayune Baluk, Boon Wurrung Balug, Yownegerra and the Yallock Balluk. Their country covered the land along the coast from the Werribee River east to Wilsons Promontory. It went inland as far as Dandenong. In A Report to the Victorian Corporation for Languages (July 1996), Ian Clark identified more than 60 variations in the spelling of Boon wurrung. In this publication the spelling adopted is Boon wurrung rather than Bun wurrung. This is consistent with recommendations by Clark (1996) and Blake (1991) and encourages the correct pronunciation, using the “oo” rather than the “u” sound.
This is an extract from Yolnu Balandi-watanumirr 'Yolnu with Ancestral Connections’, by Joanne Gargulkpuy. It was taken from a research paper into Indigenous Governance being conducted by Yalu Margithinyaraw Research Group and the Centre for Indigenous Research and Education at Northern Territory University.
This story has been written with the support of the Young Indigenous Writers Initiative, a mentoring program run by FATSIL that helps young Indigenous writers to develop their writing skills and get their work published. The aim of the program is to foster and promote the new generation of Indigenous writers in Australia. Baressa Frazer, a Wik woman, is our Young Indigenous Writers Initiative participant and Voice of the Land contributor for this issue. Special thanks to Barbara Sayers for her generous assistance.
... a very old tale that recalls the days when the people of Dauan Island in the Torres Strait were on constant alert against head-hunting warriors from Papua New Guinea...
The World Indigenous Peoples Conference: Education (WIPC:E) is a triennial conference of international significance that attracts peoples from around the globe to celebrate and share diverse cultures, traditions and knowledge with a focus on world Indigenous education. To be held on the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation, Melbourne, Australia from 7th - 11th December 2008, WIPC:E 2008 will be a celebration of our diverse cultures, traditions and knowledge.
