First Nations community organisations that run language and arts activities will share in $30 million through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program.

Clan junggay (Cultural leader from opposite moiety) being painted up for Mun-jiburay bunggul (performance). The yellow line represents the Balkarranga clan totem Rajarra (Barramundi).
Clan junggay (Cultural leader from opposite moiety) being painted up for Mun-jiburay bunggul (performance). The yellow line represents the Balkarranga clan totem Rajarra (Barramundi).

The funding will go to 70 First Nations community-led organisations to express, conserve and sustain their cultures through Indigenous languages and arts activities.

Among the recipients are:

  • Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation—to conserve and revitalise the Wuybuy language of the Numburindi people by employing community members to develop and produce a Wuybuy dictionary and become certified local language teachers and community linguists to facilitate community-led language workshops in Numbulwar, Northern Territory.
  • Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation—to commission, develop, rehearse and tour 3 new Aboriginal language-based theatre shows to be shared with children far and wide and to include Yamatji and Wongatha language in productions in Perth, Western Australia.

The ILA program is investing over $37 million in 2024–25 for Indigenous languages and arts projects through organisations that support participation in, and maintenance of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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