Although I am not an Australian, I would like to start a discussion on this topic. Including indigenous/regional languages and cultures into education is a general topic which concerns many countries worldwide.

Looking at Australia I think that the country has a treasure in its indigenous languages and cultures being unique to the country together with its landscapes which ought in any case to be preserved. Therefore the state gouvernments ought to sustain every effort in order to pass them on to new generations. The schools are the suitable place to do so. I would suggest to give every Australian pupil the option to study a local indigenous language together with the culture. If such skills are of use, depends certainly on the personal attitude and the region.

In the Northern Territory and other parishes with high presence of Aboriginal people I would even suggest to make studying an indigenous language and culture compulsory. For in the Northern Territory and some other places knowing the local indigenous language has probably an evident benefit as it is likely for everybody to get in touch with indigenous people.

In my eyes, this could give several areas an individual identity marker within the English-speaking world. In today´s world of globalization, strong regional and/or cultural self-confidence building on an unique heritage are more useful than ever. As I have seen in reports more progres has been made in Australia to support indigenous languages and cultures than, let´s say, in the USA. More detailed mesures can only be determined locally in Australia because there is not only one single indigenous language as in New Zealand.

One thing is also clear: Aboriginal people whereever in Australia should realize that a people can well adapt something from the counterpart which is of use to them without giving up the own identity. In the end doing so facilitates the surviving of a people. This happend frequently during human history when different people got in contact with each others. On the other hand non-indigenous Australia could learn a bit from indigenous values, too.

Alex

Alex, that all sounds very nice in a perfect world, but as you say, you are not an Australian and therefore cannot possibly understand the complexity of the Indigenous Australian situation here.

I hope you weren't putting up the USA as a shining example of how to deal with Indigenous peoples relations with the rest of the population?

Our Indigenous Australians were probably doing just fine with their own culture and dreamtime before they were 'civilized' and 'shown the light' by the Christian missionaries all those years ago.

The USA are no way a bright example how to treat indigenous people! The US-American society is rather a negative example of narrow-minded Anglo-American centric attitudes. This is not to say that no steps forward have been made within native American communities and in parts of politics.
I do not expect from my post to have pointed out a perfectly suitable concept. What I wish is to point out my general opinion on this topic while giving some basic ideas with regard to Australia.

My aim is to have an exchange with Australians living in the country about this topic. The indigenous people's matters certainly consist of complicated problems.

In general I am a strong proponent of maintaining the cultural diversity in the world and a strong opponent of cultural unification. Unfortunately, Germany where I am living is a bad example of few support for regional cultures and languages in most areas. It is a real shame in today's world!
Alex

To all...

Were it not for the work of Summer Institute of Linguisics and Wycliffe Bible translators.. 100S of indigensous languages would be lost forever.

But when SIL/Wycliffe do their work...those languages are:

-Reduced to writing
-Preserved

Yes.. we use that information for 2 things.

1/ Education
2/ Biblical study.

shock horror...how much would it cost for a 'Government' or National Geographic mob to do that ?

and what's more...it's all done on the basis of faith support..not guaranteed 'wage' and the amount people on the field receive is usually a fraction of what most Aussies receive here.

OccidentalChristian,

Non-indigenous Australians aren't interested in saving the indigenous culture. Suzeonline's comment will echo right across the board.

First, you'll be accused of not living in a perfect example yourself, then why should "I" save THEIR culture. "They need to help themselves"...etc etc.

It's a great and compassionate plan, but it won't be embraced by non-indigenous Australians. They'll take your suggestions as a personal attack, and will react in kind to it, unfortunately.

Dear Alex (Occidental Christian),

You will be pleased to know that in
2007 AAR (Australians Against Racism)
undertook a major project called
"Inhaadi Adnyamathanha Ngawarla."
They published an Aboriginal language and
culture course that is currently being utilised.
You can find out more information about the
project at the following websites:

http://www.adnyamathanha.com/

And -

http://www.australiansagainstracism.org/code/projects.html