Returning in 2019, the Cultural Forum series will open with a talk on the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages - a declaration that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world.

Victoria’s landscape is filled with words of Aboriginal origin like ‘Birrarung’, ‘Dandenong’, ‘Werribee’ ‘Mordialloc’ and ‘Baw Baw’, but many of our indigenous languages are now fighting for survival. Communities throughout Victoria and across Australia are striving to revive their local languages through workshops, education, music, dictionaries and digital resources.

Join experts from our community to find out more about language revival, and learn how these innovative programs are working to support and promote local indigenous languages. Nick Thieberger; an ARC Future Research Fellow will talk to us about how he set up the Pilbara Aboriginal language centre and is the current Director of the Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures (PARADISEC) and Mandy Nicholson ; born in Healesville, a Wurundjeri-willam (Wurundjeri-baluk patriline) artist and Traditional Custodian of Melbourne and surrounds. Mandy also has connections to the Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illam wurrung language groups of the Central/Eastern Kulin Nation on her father’s side and German on her mothers.

 Bookings essential. You do not need to bring a ticket with you to this event. 

If you have accessibility questions or requirements, please contact Sarah Ernst, Library Development & Projects Officer, at [email protected] or on 1300 695 427.