New initiative will prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language in QLD

A $200,000 Indigenous Languages Grants program has been launched in Queensland, supporting initiatives to teach, learn and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

As part of the joint project involving the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Department of Education, the program will support up to 28 initiatives to promote, preserve and revitalise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and dialects — which are among the world’s oldest surviving languages.

Craig Crawford, Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships encouraged Queenslanders to apply for a share in the dedicated languages grants, saying that the grants (of up to $25,000 each), “will support local, regional and statewide initiatives which bring together schools, local groups and wider communities with language speakers, Elders and Traditional Owners to help languages live on.” 

“Queensland is home to the nation’s second largest population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our state is enriched by the languages, cultures and diversity of First Nations people” he added.

“The Queensland Government is reframing the relationship with First Nations people by celebrating and acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, cultures and knowledge as part of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.”

Language, Mr Crawford continued, is fundamental to identity and wellbeing, and encouraging all Queenslanders to respect, embrace and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language and culture “is a positive step towards local thriving communities.”

Mr Crawford is supported in the initiative by Queensland’s education minister, Grace Grace, who encouraged education providers to apply for the grants.

Applications for the Queensland Government’s Indigenous Language Grants 2020 close 11.59 pm (AEST) Tuesday 6 October 2020. To apply or find out more visit www.datsip.qld.gov.au/ilg