NAIDOC WEEK 2017 - Our Languages Matter

 

 

The significance and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages will be the focus of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations. 

Upon the first European contact, there was said to be around 250 distinct Indigenous languages within Australia. Majority of these languages had several dialects resulting in many hundred named varieties. Sadly, only around 120 of these languages are spoken today with many of them at risk of being lost when Elders pass on.

 “Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages are not just a means of communication, they express knowledge about everything:  law, geography, history, family and human relationships, philosophy, religion, anatomy, childcare, health, caring for country, astronomy, biology and food.

“Each language is associated with an area of land and has a deep spiritual significance and it is through their own languages, that Indigenous nations maintain their connection with their ancestors, land and law,” Ms Martin said.

(Quoted from Official NAIDOC Website, http://www.naidoc.org.au/2017-national-naidoc-theme)

 To help raise awareness within our families and communities, we have just released a limited range of NAIDOC products & merchandise featuring this year’s theme, “Our Languages Matter”.

So, as Australians (of all nationalities), let's all get excited to celebrate NAIDOC 2017 together as one!