As a result of a successful application for funding of Indigenous Language Reclamation Projects from the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Lands Council, in partnership with the Gunnedah Community College, will be hosting a Summer School for those wishing to learn Gamilaraay, the indigenous language of the Gunnedah region.
The Language Summer School will run for two weeks, from January 11 to January 22. The first week will be for beginners who may have no knowledge of the language, and the second week will build on week 1, and also be suitable for people who have done some language work in the past.
Earlier this year, we held a workshop to ascertain the level of interest in the local community", said Ross Barnard, Co-ordinator of the Gunnedah Community College.
This was based on a resource entitled ‘It’s a Hard Road to Hoe, But You Gotta Start Somewhere’, which offered guidelines for a Community to begin Language Reclamation work.
The message came through loud and clear that there is considerable interest in rediscovering the native language of this region. We are very fortunate to have secured the teaching expertise of linguists and teachers Brother John Giacon and Suellyn Tighe.
Brother John, a Christian Brother who researched the Gamilaraay language in the Walgett region for a period of 14 years, is one of the co-compilers of the Gamilaraay Dictionary published in 2003. Suellyn Tighe, who lives in Coonabarrabran, has studied for her Masters in Indigenous Language Education"
"With the passionate commitment of Greg Griffiths, Chair of the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Lands Council, a joint application was lodged with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to fund some Language Reclamation Workshops in Gunnedah. The Summer School is one of the results of this application.
We have already run some Gamilaraay classes at Gunnedah Public School, which were taught by Suellyn Tighe and Aboriginal Elder Maureen Sulter, also from Coonabarrabran. We hope to maintain and expand this language work in the schools next year," said Mr Barnard.
Greg Griffiths spoke of the importance of language to members of the Aboriginal community:
We live in Kamilaroi country, and language is a strong part of our identity. I believe it to be a tool for education to stimulate young people’s minds, and to empower them to reconnect with their heritage."
The Summer School will be held at the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Lands Council, and the Gunnedah Community College Computer Facility (for language practice sessions). Both are located in Chandos St, Gunnedah.
