Dozens of Aboriginal language custodians call for further revival efforts

More than 30 Aboriginal language custodians from Australia's Northern Territory are demanding greater action from communities and governments to ensure the survival of Indigenous languages. This week, the delegation unveiled the "Top End Strong Languages Statement," a comprehensive roadmap developed after years of dedicated work.

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For me, it's about acknowledging that of the places we interact with in our communities, often in an organisational setting, [it] is through English.

The four-page document details how communities envision language revival and survival efforts being prioritized and implemented across the Northern Territory. Key areas highlighted include strengthening bilingual education and fostering language knowledge-sharing within communities. The statement also calls for increased funding for language services, such as cultural centers, and urges services like clinics to develop greater capacity for language understanding. Furthermore, it advocates for robust repatriation systems to return archived cultural materials.

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I want to be able to support and build the capacity of young adults and the next generation of people who will work in community … to deliver services to Yolŋu in my community in our language.

Rarrtjiwuy Herdman, a speaker of Dhaŋu, an Arnhem Land language with very few remaining speakers, has been a leading figure in the efforts to create the statement. She stressed the importance of acknowledging the dominance of English in organizational settings and expressed a desire to empower the next generation to serve Yolŋu communities in their own language. Herdman has already initiated a pilot program to teach Dhaŋu to young adults through the Djalkiri Foundation, focusing on accredited first-language literacy and oracy.

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It's not just about literacy, it's about oracy and how do we embed that in our community.

At a gathering at Charles Darwin University, Ian Gumbula, a delegate from Galiwin'ku, emphasized the statement's significance as a representation of Northern Territory communities. "Language is life, it is giving us freedom," Gumbula stated, highlighting the deep connection between language, identity, and self-determination. The custodians aim to embed language learning within the community, ensuring its vitality for future generations.

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It's a really important day today to celebrate the [Top End Strong Languages] statement.