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International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

8 August 2008 - HREOC - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, has urged governments to fund and resource the protection and promotion of Indigenous languages, as part of this year’s International Day of the World's Indigenous People (9 August).

“The theme of this year’s International Day of the World's Indigenous People is the protection and promotion of the world’s endangered languages, which is especially relevant to Australia, whose Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are under threat of extinction,” Commissioner Calma said.

Speaking from the Garma Festival in Nhulunbuy, where cultural preservation is a major theme, Mr Calma said that the vast majority of Australia’s Indigenous languages have been eroded and some have been lost forever.

“When language is lost, knowledge and wisdom are lost, and so too is identity. It is through language that we interpret our belief systems; our religion, spirituality, knowledge of country and so much more.”

According to UNESCO, at least 3000 of the world’s 6000 languages are endangered, and at least 800 are very close to extinction. Commissioner Calma said that while Australia once had around 300 Indigenous languages, now there are only 20 or so not endangered.

“Indigenous languages can only be preserved through policies that commit governments to language maintenance and language revitalisation programs at all levels of Australia’s educational institutions,” Mr Calma said. “This means employing Indigenous language speakers in schools; supporting bilingual programs where they exist; creating benchmark testing options for Indigenous literacies; funding the development of Indigenous language texts, school books and picture dictionaries; and any other action that supports and strengthens Indigenous language literacy across Australia.

“Unfortunately, the preservation of Indigenous languages is considered a low priority when governments and others look to Indigenous disadvantage. But governments make a mistake if they ignore language and consider it a separate problem from health for example. While Indigenous people may be struggling with high levels of economic distress, poor health and poor education outcomes, it is our culture – transmitted through our languages - that defines us and gives us dignity and a sense of purpose.”

Source: Human Rights and Equal Oppurtunity Commission

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