In celebration of the 13th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ALNF partnered with Twitter Australia to celebrate; Indigenous languages and amplify Indigenous voices across the platform.
In a world first, Twitter Australia’s account was hosted by a number of First Nations peoples, each sharing exclusive voice Tweets in a variety of Indigenous Languages including Erub Mer, Kunggandji, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, and Adnyamathanha. ALNF’s ambassadors joining the action included Electric Fields, Jeremy Donovan, Boori Monty Prior, with a number of additional community members and friends of ALNF also generously sharing languages and stories to mark the occasion.
The aim of the project has been to educate users of the social media platform on the importance of Indigenous Language preservation and revitalisation.
With UN estimates that four out of ten Indigenous Languages are at risk of vanishing, there has never been a more important moment to highlight the tragic loss of thousands of years’ worth of knowledge, culture and tradition that takes place each time an Indigenous Language is lost. As the world’s longest surviving culture, the potential loss of further Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages would be devastating.
Kara Hinesley, Public Policy Director at Twitter Australia and New Zealand, said: “Together with the ALNF, Twitter is proud to utilise our platform to raise awareness of Indigenous languages and make them more accessible in the public conversation”.
ALNF Co-Chair, Professor Tom Calma, has strongly supported the initiative, recognising it as an important opportunity to expose the Australian public to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language and culture. “Through sitting on the board at ALNF, I’ve been involved in some fantastic partnerships and this latest initiative with Twitter will help highlight Indigenous languages and cultures across Australia to new audiences”, Professor Calma said.
This latest project is part of ALNF’s ongoing commitment to preserve and revitalise Australia’s Indigenous Languages through its award-winning First Languages Program which aims to see community-driven, sustainable language and literacy teaching and learning flourishing in Australia’s First Languages, supporting their intergenerational transmission.
Source: ALNF
