Do you know this man? Of course you do ... its our very own Gawa (Uncle) Micklo Jarrett, Gumbaynggirr man and language teacher extraordinaire ... and one of those who has helped put to together the recently-opened Living Language exhibition at the NSW State Library in Sydney.
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The exhibition is a magnificent collation of stories, films, photos and archival material that tracks Aboriginal languages over thousands of years and is part of events honouring this year's UNESCO decreed International Year of Indigenous Languages.
"We are seeing this huge shift all around NSW to reawaken language, languages are really coming to life, which is exactly what we have all been working towards - it's awesome," Gawa Micklo said.
One of the drivers behind this has been the NSW Aboriginal Languages Act 2017, which became law in October 2017, the first legislation in Australia to acknowledge the significance of First Languages.
The Act acknowledges the importance of Aboriginal languages and the need to reawaken, nurture and grow them and their Aboriginal custodianship.
Muurrbay Language Centre's director, Gary Williams, has been on the advisory panel shaping the priorities of the Aboriginal Language Trust, the body which will oversee the resourcing of language revival under the Act's five-year Strategic Plan.
"Under the Act there is a concrete way to give out money for languages and programs. The approach has been very thorough and we have had a lot of meetings to nut it all out. It feels really good," Gary said.
"I feel very proud of what the mob at Muurrbay have achieved, as well as all the others ... I'm happy that it all has a future."
For Gawa Micklo learning his language has shown him that language is the essence of everything, no matter the country.
"It defines who we are, it defines all our relationships - learning my language has made me who I am today," he said.
"The last five years have been incredible, ever since I started working in language/cultural teacher training.
"And now I am spreading the language to all corners of the world through the Gumbayngirr tours I lead - tourists come, they learn language and they take that home with them, it's a beautiful sharing."
"But I wouldn't be here without Muurrbay and the input over so many years by Brother Steve Morelli, Uncle Ken Walker and all the Elders ...
"We love you - ngiyaala ngiina bayi."
Living Language: Country, Culture, Community is a free exhibition at the NSW State Library. It runs until Sunday, November 17.
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
