An initiative that will play a vital role in enabling Indigenous language continuation in the Kimberley region will receive a $200,000 support package from the McGowan Government.
The State of Language Continuation in the Kimberley Report was identified as a priority by the Aboriginal Regional Governance Group in the Kimberley.
The Kimberley region covers an area more than 423,500 square kilometres and is home to 30 per cent of Australia's living Indigenous languages.
The report will enable the Kimberley Language Resource Centre (KLRC) to maximise support for language continuation in the region, which has more than 42 Indigenous languages spoken by people from five cultural blocks.
It will be developed by Aboriginal not-for-profit KLRC, which uses the term 'language continuation' to explain how Aboriginal language groups in the Kimberley are working to keep languages alive for future generations.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Aboriginal youth suicide is a longstanding issue in the Kimberley, and language continuity has been identified by Aboriginal leaders as an important part of strengthening the cultural identity of younger generations.
"By working towards language continuity, the State of Language Continuation in the Kimberley Report will add to collaborative efforts to improve wellbeing among Aboriginal young people."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"Our language is so closely tied to our culture, so I am delighted to hear that this project has received funding.
"It is so important for us to nurture, protect and use our language to ensure our children can continue culture through language and song."
