The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has launched an Indigenous song competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander schoolchildren to support and sustain their languages and culture.
Partnering with community organisation, First Languages Australia, the ABC’s 2019 Indigenous Language Song Competition invites schools to work with their local Indigenous community in translating the song, Marrin Gamu into the first language of their area and record a video of their students performing it.
Head of ABC Education, Annabel Astbury said videos uploaded to the ABC Education website would be in the running for prizes such as local language resource packs and audio-visual recording equipment.
“More than 2,400 students from 80 schools across Australia have entered the annual competition since its launch in 2016, submitting videos in 52 Indigenous languages,” Ms Astbury said.
“We are inspired by the excitement among students and teachers to learn, celebrate and help preserve our first languages.”
Coordinator of First Languages Australia, Faith Baisden said there were hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages and a wealth of cultural knowledge held within each one.
“Discussions about Australia’s first languages can help create a society that knows and respects the history and cultures of this land,” Ms Baisden said.
The 2019 Indigenous Language Song Competition is open until 30 August and entry details and more information can be accessed at this PS News link.
