Pama Language Centre Pama Language Centre (PLC) is ensuring the viability of ancestral languages in Cape York Peninsula by: • working with speakers to record the linguistic and cultural detail of their First Nations languages • working with speakers to increase and promote literacy in First Nations languages through developing contemporary literature and language learning materials • working with speakers to revive intergenerational transmission of their languages • raising awareness and support for the First Nations languages of Cape York Peninsula in the wider community.
THE ROAD TO ANCESTRAL LANGUAGE VIABILITY
Recording of languages and active corpus development with speakers begins
Linguists work with speakers to create opportunities for language transmission and promotion
Speakers engage in authorship at many levels, taking control of the future of their ancestral languages
Viability of language is assured by completion of recording and ongoing corpus development. Intergenerational transmission continues to increase.
PLC is an initiative of the Cape York Institute, established to pursue the right of all children of Cape York Peninsula’s First Nations to be fluent and literate in their ancestral languages so that they can walk with confidence in two worlds, as the inheritors of their rich, living cultural heritage. PLC supports recording, revitalisation, revival and maintenance activities with: Injinoo Ikya and Mpakwithi First Nations at Bamaga; Wik-Mungkan, Wik-Alken/Wik-Ngatharr and Wik-Ngathan First Nations at Aurukun; Kugu Uwanh and Kugu Muminh First Nations of the Western Cape York Peninsula; the Guugu Yimithirr First Nation at Hope Vale; the Southern Kaantju First Nation at Coen and the Olkola First Nation. New language partnerships are in development with the First Nations of Pormpuraaw and Lockhart River. PLC continues to seek funding and partners to enable the extension of language support to all First Nations of Cape York.
PARTICIPATION AND REACH ESTIMATED MEMBERSHIP OF LANGUAGE NATIONS CURRENTLY SERVED BY PLC 750 Injinoo Ikya 60 Anguthimri (including Mpakwithi) 1,200+ Wik-Mungkan 50 Wik-Alken 50 Wik-Ngatharr 80 Wik-Ngathan 1,200 Guugu Yimithirr 50 Uw Olgol and Oykangand 36 Southern Kaantju 300 Kulkalgaw Ya 1,000 Kalaw Kawaw Ya 39+ Kugu Nganhcarra 24 Warranggu
NUMBER OF SPEAKERS AND NON-SPEAKERS DIRECTLY REACHED BY OR INVOLVED IN PLC ACTIVITIES
106 children at Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy (CYAAA) Hope Vale campus 40+ adult community members are benefitting from the Guugu Yimithirr song-
and
writing, choir and recording workshops, as well as from recording initiatives, return of
materials from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), and the availability of Guugu Yimithirr language materials. Thudaan Diini (Red Road) has had 828 views on YouTube to-date.
3,000 Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) people continue to benefit from the availability of
the first recording of Injinoo Ikya language hymns, children’s picture books in Mpakwithi,
body parts poster books in Injinoo Ikya languages and animated video clips of children’s songs in Mpakwithi and Injinoo Ikya. The New Mapoon community is also benefitting from the ‘Voices of Old Mapoon’ healing process and song-writing workshops.
60 members of the Anguthimri community are benefitting from the composition of
NUMBER OF SPEAKERS INVOLVED IN PLC ANCESTRAL LANGUAGE ACTION TEAMS (ALATs)
songs and learning resources at the ‘Voices of Old Mapoon’ Healing Camp, and the
participated in recording, revitalisation, revival and maintenance work between January and June, including: 1 Injinoo Ikya 7 Mpakwithi 5 Wik-Mungkan 15 Wik-Alken/Wik-Ngatharr and Wik-Ngathan 104 Guugu Yimithirr 1 Warranggu 1 Kalaw Kawaw Ya
Centre (aged-care facility).
134 speakers
availability of published children’s books.
60+ people at Aurukun have benefitted from art and recording activities with the Chivaree 172
(approx.) students at Aurukun State School benefit from the availability of Wik-
Mungkan children’s songs and video clips.
15 members of the Guugu Yimithirr and Mpakwithi diaspora benefit from online lesson
materials and online classrooms.
1 member of the Kalaw Kawaw Ya community is currently working with PLC on the
development of the first published resources in Kalaw Kawaw Ya, and participated in a writer-illustrator workshop in Cairns.
2 members of the Mpakwithi ALAT participated in a writer-illustrator workshop in Cairns.
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