$4 million to revitalise Aboriginal languages

Brewarrina Christian School students Doreen Gordon and Sanaa Kirby learning the Ngemba language with Elder Aunty Mary Waites. Photo TWH

Aboriginal language groups around Brewarrina, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri and Weilmoringle have received a boost after a series of language revival grants were issued across north-western NSW

Duty MLC for Barwon, Stephen Lawrence, has welcomed the NSW government announcement of more than $4 million in grants to fund 74 Aboriginal language projects across the state.

Mr Lawrence said that this new funding builds on the $3.9 million delivered in 2023, double the Coalition government’s spend in 2022. 

“The sheer size of these grants is a wonderful thing,” Mr Lawrence said. “It is a big spend and western NSW is a big beneficiary.”

Mr Lawrence said that Aboriginal languages are central to Aboriginal culture and vital to sustaining traditional knowledge and need to be carefully nurtured.

“I note the growth and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and culture is also a key outcome for Closing the Gap, a national commitment to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people,” he said.

Local organisations receiving grants this year include the ‘First Linguists’ group at Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands council which has received $15,000 to hold immersive language workshops. These workshops – in Ngemba, Ualarai, Muruwari and Kamilaroi will encourage participants to converse solely in traditional languages, free from English influence, strengthen language skills and deepen connections to the land.

The Language Revival Program run by Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council has also received $27,500 for specialist Ngemba language classes.[…]

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