FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has congratulated five local organisations who will share $1.16 million in funding to revive and maintain Indigenous languages.
The funding is part of $11.9 million announced by Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis, and provided in 2015-16 through the Indigenous Languages and Arts program. The successful organisations are:
- Torres Strait Regional Authority ($400,000);
- North Queensland Regional Aboriginal Corporation Languages Centre ($375,000);
- Cape York Institute ($250,000);
- Pormpuraaw Arts and Cultural Centre ($66,430); and
- Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku ($65,000).
Mr Entsch met with the Torres Strait Regional Authority to discuss their project during the Prime Minister’s visit to the Torres Strait and NPA last week.
“There are dozens of unique Indigenous languages all across Cape York and the Torres Strait and we need to do everything we can to keep them alive,” said Mr Entsch.
“This funding will help the organisations carry out a range of activities that will revive and maintain our local Indigenous languages now and into the future.
“The activities include creating multimedia programs, cataloguing and digitising language material, producing stories, holding language conferences, or developing other language resources.
“The funding will also enable the organisations to provide professional development opportunities for Indigenous language workers,” said Mr Entsch.
Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis said: “Languages and the arts are essential to the wellbeing, culture and identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and this funding will play an important role in sustaining and strengthening Indigenous communities.”
The Indigenous Languages and Arts program aims to showcase, protect and encourage participation in traditional and contemporary Indigenous artistic expression to strengthen pride in identity and culture through language.
More information about the Indigenous Languages and Arts program and a full list of funding recipients can be found at www.arts.gov.au/indigenous
