Indigenous Languages and Arts Program
The Australian Government’s vision is for an Australia where respect for our rich diversity begins with respect for the world’s oldest continuing culture, that of Australia’s First Peoples.
Indigenous languages and arts are integral to the identity, connection with culture and emotional health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and are essential to maintaining the vitality and strength of Indigenous communities.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap now includes a dedicated outcome and a target for Indigenous languages in Australia over the next ten years:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages are strong, supported and flourishing (Outcome 16)
By 2031, there is a sustained increase in number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken (Target 16)
Together with the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032, the forthcoming decade will see a greater focus on the conservation, revitalisation and promotion of Indigenous languages and arts in Australia and globally.
To support these major initiatives the Indigenous Languages and Arts program invests over $27 million per annum to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to express, conserve and maintain their cultures through languages and arts activities around Australia.
The program includes annual operational funding support to a network of 24 Indigenous Language Centres throughout the country working on conserving, revitalising and sustaining Indigenous languages. The program also supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to create, promote and celebrate Indigenous cultural expression. (Source: ILA Program Fact Sheet)
The ILA Indigenous Language Centres
This is us!
Tasmania
While these centres are listed here by State, language areas do not align with State borders. As such, some centres physically located in one State could service areas in another State.