Delegates at the recent ‘First Nations Language Sovereignty: Reclaim the Rights’ conference in Kalgoorlie call for WA State Aboriginal languages legislation to be enacted to recognise that sovereignty of the 85 languages of WA has not been ceded or extinguished.
At the conclusion of the conference, delegates issued a strong call for action, including:
- Formal recognition that the sovereignty of Western Australia’s 85 First Nations languages has never been ceded, and a request for this to be acknowledged through the enactment of Western Australian Aboriginal Languages Legislation.
- Legislative recognition of these 85 First Nations languages as the State’s first languages.
- Commitment to equitable State resourcing for every language, ensuring their ongoing vitality, safety, and transmission to future generations.
A copy of the full media statement can be found here.
For further info head into the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre at Boulder Railway Station Building, Loopline Park, 49 Hamilton St, Boulder, or phone on (08)9021 3788 or email info@wangka.com.au
Delegate Melvin Farmer
Workshop presenters-Madeleine Jadai and MaureenYanawana
Minster Don Punch opening the conference
Professor Peter Austin at his keynote address
Tjupan singers dancers performed a welcome to the conference dance