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Keeping Queensland’s Indigenous languages alive

Des Crump explains how the State Library of Queensland is helping to preserve and share the State’s Indigenous languages.

 

Since 2006, the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) has been delivering a comprehensive program of training, recording, resource development, networking and support, as well as providing other strategic opportunities to support Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in their struggle to keep their languages alive. This is the essence of the Indigenous Languages Project and the accompanying Indigenous Languages Strategy. It is an important part of SLQ’s work as of the 100+ languages in Queensland, twenty are spoken on a daily basis but only two are classed as ‘thriving’ – the remainder are all considered endangered.

The Indigenous Languages Strategy which provides the framework for SLQ’s actions is informed by the needs and aspirations of Queensland’s Indigenous language communities, as well as a range of national and state initiatives encompassing Indigenous languages surveys, an inquiry into Indigenous language learning, national curriculum assessments and interpreting and translating services

Through the Queensland Memory program, SLQ partners with language centres, people who work with languages, speakers, linguists, publishers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander broadcasters, cultural corporations, Indigenous Knowledge Centres, public libraries and local councils.

Consultation meetings are held with stakeholders to understand the needs of language centres and people who work with languages, and where possible, these needs are matched to services available through SLQ. Staff also undertake site visits to talk to community language workers and to observe efforts to revive and preserve language at first hand. Additional advice is sought from SLQ’s Indigenous Advisory Group.

 

 

The role of the SLQ’s network of Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) is important to this process as they provide the local support for community language preservation, as well as serving as keeping places for traditional knowledge. IKCs conduct training, workshops,

Culture Love programs for young people and other localised activities. SLQ also partners with the IKCs to deliver specialised training in the recording, documentation and preservation of traditional languages which complements the annual Research Discovery Workshops held in Brisbane. All of these elements come together to help build the capacity of communities to research and manage language revival.

With the advent of information technologies including language Apps, a new dimension has been added. SLQ (particularly through the Cairns office) ensures that IKCs and their local communities are provided with the skills and knowledge to use these new and emerging technologies as part of their language revival. Digitisation of historical and original materials allows community access to language materials.

The IKCs also have their own blog for sharing stories across their centres. SLQ has presented sessions at the Puliima Language and Technology Forum to share their work with others.

SLQ has also developed a range of resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages research using the collections. These resources include an Indigenous Languages webpage which is the best starting point for community members, language workers and the general public to find out more information. The webpage includes an online interactive languages map, wordlists and other materials such as research guides for placenames. The SLQ Indigenous Languages blog provides an online space for communities and language workers to network as well as share ideas and resources.

In addition to the documentation and preservation of Queensland’s Indigenous languages, SLQ also promotes and raises awareness of traditional languages in the broader community, including through social media. A recent initiative was the Say G’day campaign held in partnership with the Yugambeh Museum, Language and Cultural Heritage Centre at Beenleigh. This initiative encouraged Queenslanders to say hello in their local Indigenous language which proved to be very successful, extending across the IKCs, language centres and public library network, as well as many schools and child care centres.

The above achievements represent almost 10 years years of SLQ support for over 85 Indigenous languages across Queensland. The Library’s investment in and commitment to this work has been supplemented by the Australian Government’s language support programs, including the Maintenance of Indigenous Languages & Records program which became the Indigenous Languages Support program. The needs and aspirations of Queensland’s Indigenous communities will continue to drive the directions and priorities for SLQ’s ongoing language work.

If you are interested in finding out more information on this vital work, go to:
SLQ Indigenous Languages webpage
SLQ Indigenous Languages blog
SLQ Vimeo channel

 

 

Des’s family and cultural links are from South-West Queensland, which is the top end of the Kamilaroi Nation. Prior to establishing Dhinawun Consultancy, he worked within a range of roles within the Queensland Education Department for a period of 21 years as a primary teacher and secondary guidance officer as well as in office administration, policy and curriculum development. His educational consultancy activities include curriculum development, Aboriginal language and cultural studies programs, professional development for school staff as well as school-community partnerships.

Currently he is employed as the Indigenous Languages Coordinator for the State Library of Queensland to coordinate and support activities under the SLQ Indigenous Languages Strategy. The strategy supports Queensland’s Indigenous communities in the recording, documentation and preservation of their traditional languages, as well as the promotion of Indigenous languages across the wider Queensland community.