2017-07-04
As NAIDOC week continues, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues Senator Rachel Siewert is calling on Australian Governments to strengthen support for protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
“This NAIDOC week the theme is ‘Our Languages Matter’, and already this week we have heard success stories where our First Peoples on the ground have been innovative in preserving their language, whilst we have sadly heard of other languages disappearing.
“Our First Peoples have continually told Governments that continuing connection to culture is essential for wellbeing and therefore helps reduce disadvantage and works towards closing the gap.
“We have already lost many languages, complacency cannot allow that number to continue to fall. We must get behind initiatives that are protecting languages and stop further languages disappearing.
“The Australian Greens support NAIDOC Week 2017 and the push to value and preserve the languages of our First Peoples”.