NILS Report 2005 Letter

Worldwide knowledge and understanding of Australian Indigenous cultures, past and present

 

20 November 2005

Ms Helen Williams
The Secretary
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA)
38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603

 

National Indigenous Language Survey Report

 

Dear Ms Williams,

Please find enclosed the National Indigenous Languages Survey Report prepared by AIATSIS and the Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages (FATSIL) for your Department.

This report comprises a comprehensive review of the current state of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander language use across the continent as well as policy recommendations designed to improve these circumstances.

In particular the report considers the key issue of language endangerment and identifies a worrying trend of increased language loss across the country. Other parts of the report identify the extent of materials that can be used to support language revival and learning. To counter issues of language loss the report also identifies a number of urgent policy and program recommendations to address the differing language needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

While the report addresses DCITA’s Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander languages program, in the interests of coordinated departmental program delivery to communities there are also recommendations in respect to the programs of other departments.

We understand that DCITA may wish to take the lead in convening joint departmental meetings to discuss the recommendations and I would be happy for AIATSIS to continue to be a party in these considerations.

I trust that this report will be of strong assistance in the development of improved language programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

 

Yours sincerely,

Steve Larkin, AIATSIS Principal

 

Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, ACTON ACT 2601

GPO Box 553, CANBERRA ACT 2601
Tel: 61 2 6246 1111   Fax: 61 2 6261 4285   www.aiatsis.gov.au