Indigenous arts and languages

One of UNESCO's major objectives is to raise awareness of both the risks associated with the loss of language, and how language and knowledge systems could aid in sustainable development, reconciliation, and good governance. Many Australians may not be aware of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to Australia's cultural identity, or of the risk associated with their loss. There are many ways we can start to raise this awareness.

As an integral part of cultural expression Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are celebrated through many cultural and creative events across the country. We will put a spotlight on these activities and increase the focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to not only celebrate them but share the challenges they are facing. The Australia Council for the Arts is a key provider of funding for arts activities around the nation and it supports a broad range of activities to support First Nations arts and cultural expression, delivered through funding programs, targeted investment, capacity building, and strategic development and research. Screen Australia's Indigenous Department directs funding towards producing versions of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in language. The IY2019 affords an opportunity for new partnerships between government bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups to occur in these arenas and other cultural events. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language streams to be incorporated in existing events or conferences and for specific events to be held to draw attention to the year and its significance.

Broadcasters, such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the SBS, play a crucial role in raising awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages among all Australians. The ABC launches initiatives through its Indigenous platform and is currently undertaking activities such as This Place and station identifications (know as 'indents') in language on ABC Local Radio. National Indigenous Television (NITV), as part of the SBS network, makes content by, for and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and provides drama, documentary, news and current affairs, sport, entertainment, and feature films. In addition, there are 91 long-term and 60 temporary community radio licences representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community interests throughout Australia, with programming in some 25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Through the IAS, around $21 million per year has been allocated across 44 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander broadcasting and media organisations (urban, regional and remote) for the delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander broadcasting services. The contribution from our national and community broadcasters will continue under the IY2019.

The Australian Government will increase its promotion of activities that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages under the IY2019 by collaborating across government, with non-government bodies and interested stakeholders. We will facilitate the sharing of stories and information on the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages that demonstrate the connection of language to land, culture, history, science, knowledge systems, and wellbeing. This will include a renewed focus on the awareness of tourism experiences or recreational activities that feature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Market research from Tourism Australia found that approximately 15 per cent of our international visitors engage in an Aboriginal tourism experience,^viii and 60 per cent of international consumers find Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experiences appealing.^ix

Under the UNESCO framework for the IY2019 the Australian Government will aim to:

Adjunct Professor Wayne Quilliam is one of Australia's pre-eminent Indigenous photographic artists, curators and cultural advisers. His award winning career includes the coveted National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee's Indigenous Artist of the Year, Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council's Business of the Year, Human Rights Media Award and the prestigious Walkley Award for photojournalism. He has been nominated as a Master of Photography by National Geographic, was a recent finalist in the invitation-only PrixPictet in Paris, and was highly commended in the Bowness Art Award.

Wayne has created and curated over 150 exhibitions throughout the world and been published in more than 1,000 magazines, books and newspapers. When he is not at home with his wife and daughter, he can be found in communities throughout the country sharing his knowledge and teaching youth the expression of culture through multimedia. He is currently writing three children's books, producing a coffee table book and developing a stage show bringing together Indigenous food, art and music.

His work documents significant Indigenous events over the past 20 years, including the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, the 1967 Referendum anniversary, Garma, Laura, Burunga, Dreaming and Yeperenye festivals and thousands of community events throughout the country. Wayne also works with Indigenous groups in Cuba, Mexico, Bolivia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Guam developing intercultural art and cultural exchanges.

His diverse art practices include the Lowanna series that infuses textures of earth onto the human form, Towindri landscape art and Smoke exhibition exploring the cultural significance of smoking ceremonies. His photographic exhibition of the Apology—Sorry more than a Word—is estimated to have been experienced by more than a quarter of a million people and continues to attract large audiences as it travels the world.

SharingStories Foundation is committed to preserving and revitalising Indigenous languages and cultures through community digital storytelling.

SharingStories is an innovator in the arts sector, driving change in the creation of culturally relevant, user-friendly digital tools to support needs that have been articulated by Indigenous communities.

SharingStories' programs support the production of community-based cultural archives and vibrant new contemporary artistic interpretations of ancient cultural forms. The use of digital tools allows communities to produce rich, community-driven self-representations which facilitate the holding and sharing of language, story and culture for present and future generations. Its work also connects Indigenous Australians with national and global audiences and community networks, and contributes to a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and perspectives on land and Country.

Artists attending the Festival of Pacific Arts have been involved with reinterpreting two stories of creation ancestors published in the award-winning Sharing Our Stories series. The Adnyamathanha community's Yulu the Kingfisher Man and Nyikina Mangala story of Woonyoomboo were developed into multi-touch books featuring stunning animations created by children, with the support of their Elders and the gifted artists from SharingStories. The community multi-touch books—produced both in language and English—include a Welcome to Country in language and a GPS map showing sites described in the stories.

Children from the Adnyamathanha community launched the Adelaide Children's Come-Out Festival with animations from the multi-touch book. A special ceremonial dance and re-enactment of the story accompanied the presentation of the Woonyoomboo multi-touch book animations to the community.

The multi-touch books preserve Indigenous story, culture and language for all generations, as well as build skills within local communities that lead to potential employment and revenue streams.

The Indigenous program logos are used to acknowledge Australian Government support for activities funded under our Indigenous programs. These logos and wording below must be used by funding recipients on materials including but not limited to promotional materials, websites, invitations and signage.

The guidelines on the use of the Australian Government logo can be found on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

The Australian Government crest must not be printed smaller than 20mm in width.

Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program

Suggested text: Supported through the Australian Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts program.

• ILA program inline PDF logo (File format: PDF, file size: 141KB)
• ILA program inline JPG logo (File format: JPG, file size: 211KB)
• ILA program stacked PDF logo (File format: PDF, file size: 149KB)
• ILA program stacked JPG logo (File format: JPG, file size: 221KB)

Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini was established as a collaborative network of Indigenous women artists. They are committed to promoting the unique art practices of Indigenous women in Victoria, Australia and aim to support each other professionally, culturally and spiritually.

A key focus of Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini is the continuation of traditional cultural practices in a contemporary art space, through engaging in collaborative projects, such as exhibitions and workshops.

Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini's representatives attending the Festival of Pacific Arts 2016 are four of Victoria's most prominent Indigenous female artists, all of whom are multi-skilled in a variety of cultural craft techniques.

These artists have exhibited extensively throughout Australia and the world, in addition to having won several art awards. Glenda Nicholls recently won the highly acclaimed 2015 Deadly Art Award.

While in Guam, the artists will share and exchange culture through workshops including weaving, painting with ochre, ceramics and flower making. They hope to build relationships with other creative women in the Pacific through their participation in the festival and celebrate the many cultures of the region.

Dance troupe Naygayiw Gigi or 'Northern Thunder' hails from Bamaga, the northernmost town in Queensland. Naygayiw Gigi is the flagship dance troupe of Bamaga in the Torres Strait. Established in March 2015, the troupe is committed to the maintenance and revitalisation of the culture of Bamaga and Seisia Saibailgal in the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland. The troupe aims to preserve the culture's strong dancing traditions and nurture a new generation of performers and cultural practitioners by sharing dances, stories and songs with audiences throughout Australia and the world.

Traditional dance is the focal point of Naygayiw Gigi's holistic approach aimed at addressing the rapid decline of the Torres Strait and Saibailgaw culture. The continued practice of the strong dancing tradition nurtures a new generation of performers and cultural practitioners. The medium of dance encompasses all cultural elements. Children are taught dances, songs, stories, language, arts and crafts, customs and traditions, marine craft, genealogies, ecology and astronomy.

As a troupe that specialises in show dancing, we give opportunities for the experienced and talented dancers to finesse their skills to perform at an advanced level. It enables the choreographers to create and showcase their innovative choreography and dance style that Saibailgal are renowned for in Australia and beyond.

The dance performances tell traditional and contemporary stories, customs and daily life through movement, song and props.  The current performance showcases celebratory ceremonies, gardening and battles with neighbouring clans and islands.

Naygayiw Gigi has performed at several major events, including a prize-winning performance at the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival. The troupe came first place at the Dance Rites Indigenous Dance Competition in Sydney, and also performed in Papua New Guinea for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Torres Strait Treaty.

Mau Power is a lyrical storyteller from Thursday Island in the Torres Straits. For many years he has been guided by two cultures: Indigenous culture and hip hop culture.

With a proud heritage from the Dhoebaw Clan of the Guda Maluilgal nations (Top Western Torres Strait Region—Dauan Island) and the Argan tribe of the Maluilgal nations (near Western Torres Strait Region—Badu Island), Mau Power is the first traditional-hip hop act to emerge out of the Torres Strait and break out on the Australian music scene.

His performance is a dynamic showcase of Torres Strait culture, language and dance, fused with lyrical poetry and influences of hip hop. With a standout London show, a national tour, a performance at Soulfest, and recognition in the International Songwriting Competition awards for his song Freedom (featuring Indigenous legend Archie Roach), it is safe to say Mau Power has been doing great things, and his plan is to continue to represent his people and culture on a global scale.

It is the art of storytelling that embodies the connection of two cultures that makes Mau Power a truly unique Australian act with universal appeal.

Jimblah is a producer, MC and vocalist from Adelaide, South Australia. Hailing from the Larrakia Nation in Top End Northern Territory, he is influenced by a wide range of different artists and genres, his main passion being hip hop. The most striking thing about Jimblah is not his ability to sing, rap and produce beats—it's the eyebrow-raising fact that he does them all so well. His flow alone outshines most MCs, but his tone and singing style are so memorable, so drenched in soul, it's music for the heart. His signature dusty, chopped-up melodic productions are further testament that Jimblah is truly a special talent.

His debut album Face The Fire transcends hip hop, soul or indie music scenes; it has the rare quality of being able to hang back a little, as though not desperate for your attention, knowing that you'll be drawn in before long.

Jimblah was the inaugural winner of the Hilltop Hoods Initiative (2007) and was featured as triple j Unearthed Artist of the Week. He has performed at major Australian music festivals including Big Day Out, The Dreaming Festival and Good Vibrations.

His first show with his new label was at the iconic Sydney Opera House for Dr Seuss Meets Elefant Traks (Graphic Festival) and was named by Rolling Stone in their Top 20 Acts to Watch In 2013.

In July, as part of NAIDOC week celebrations Jimblah appeared on triple j Like A Version flipping Matt Corby's 'Resolution' and debuting his new single 'March'. His album 'Phoenix' was released on 11 October 2013. It was universally adored by critics and fans and quickly stormed to #1 on the AIR Chart. Phoenix went onto to make the shortlist for the prestigious Coopers Australian Music Prize.

Gina Williams is an exceptional performer who connects and captures audiences through storytelling brilliance and incandescent vocals. Gina sings in the rare Noongar language and brings a modern take on ancient Aboriginal traditions, merging evocative sounds with that incredible, incandescent voice. The natural rhythms of the language are perfectly captured, and there's a gentle onstage charisma that comes from a gentle heart.

Gina is a Balladong daughter, one of the 14 clan groups which make up the Noongar nation, covering the south west corner of Western Australia. She also has links to the Kija people of the east Kimberley region of WA. Her music is informed by an ancient culture and is drawn from a deep well of recent West Australian and an even deeper personal history. By official records, Noongar language is critically endangered, there are less than 400 recognised fluent speakers left. Gina's mother and grandmother, both part of the stolen generations, were never allowed to speak their language. Gina wasn't stolen but was relinquished as a baby for adoption. Telling her story and singing these beautifully crafted songs in language is deeply personal.

Performing with the all-important blessings of her elders and her community, this Balladong songbird will leave you breathless.