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VOTL 30

Voice of the Land - Volume 30

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Voice of the Land - Volume 30

Our Languages Are the
Voice of the Land

The FATSIL NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER, 2005
VOLUME 30

Students at the Aboriginal and Islander Independent Community School in Brisbane are among the many who stand to benifit from a stranger focus on the teaching of Indigenous languages, highlighted in "The National Statements for Languages Education in Australian Schools for 2005-2008." Students Taylah, Aden Fewquandie and Samson Page, could see their cultural studies broadened to include languages, should initiative within the national plan be allowed through. Deputy Principal Tanya is also teache of the year 6-7 class.

From the Editor

FAITH BAISDEN

It's a pretty sad fact, but for most Australians, the name on the green sign they pass every day over the local creek has been their only exposure to an Indigenous language, and that slight contact, not enough to trigger any curiosity about the local people and their language. (Well let's face it, there are still so many who ask "really, is there more than one Aboriginal language?") It's also enormously sad to think that in many places, the street or suburb signs are the only remaining evidence of the language and culture of the traditional owners, with even many of these, distorted versions of the original word. It doesn't bear thinking on whether that will deteriorate in some areas to be the only words that are actually known in any form.

FATSILC AGM for 2005

THIS year the FATSILC AGM will be held in Adelaide and will follow a two day Languages Roundtable Conference bringing together representatives from the national network of language centres.The Conference will allow for input from language centres into the development of national strategies to be adopted by FATSILC over the coming three years.
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New Zealand conference to address languages in education

THE World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education - Te toi roa > Indigenous Excellence - will be held in
Hamilton, aotearoa — New Zealand, from the 27th November to the I st December 2005.

Over 1500 people have already confirmed their attendance, as well as keynote speakers from around the world. Register online at http://www.wipce2008.com/ or for more information go to info©wipce2005.com or call +64 7838 7649.

DCITA response to Clause II concerns

DCITA has advised that changes have been made to aspects of the Program Funding Agreement that have caused serious concern for many Indigenous organisations in receipt of the Department's grant funding.

In light of issues raised by FATSIL and many other Indigenous Languages and Arts organisations, DCITA examined the possibility of redrafting the IP clause in the Program Funding Agreement with the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC). The OIPC agreed to a revised version of the IP clauses which are aimed at addressing the communities concerns and clarifying the Commonwealth's intention.