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

A nice thought OC and it is being done to some extent in Australia. There are many Indigenous languages - over 200 I believe according to this site:

http://www.dnathan.com/VL/austLang.htm

Sadly, some Indigenous languages have already died out.

In New Zealand Maori is taught in the schools and our family was impressed with the way the Maori language was incorporated into government signs and building names like the Library - both in English and Maori. But correct me if I am wrong, the Maori language is more uniform with less (if any) versions - StG you might be able to elaborate.

There is nothing stopping us teaching many of the Indigenous languages in those schools where the language originates and where there are larger populations of Indigenous folk. Like the US, Indigenous Australians are made up of many tribes with variations in language and culture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indigenous_Australian_group_names

I believe some Indigenous languages are still being taught in Indigenous communities as part of the school curriculum.

Australian education systems are more intent on teaching Asian languages like Japanese, Indonesian and Chinese in the mindset of close trading and geographical partners.

cont'd ...

Dear Alex, (Occidental Christian),

There are many nations with ancient languages
and dialects that are being slowly revived
and taught in local schools all over the world.
It will all add to the preservation and understanding
of the richness of the diversity of our cultural
heritages. Even in the English world the
preservation of Welsh, Gaelic, and other languages
is being revived.

So too, the North American Indian languages,
certain obscure languages in Japan, and various parts
of Asia, and in Europe - Spain, and even the small
country of Lithuania, where the "Samogitians"
(Zemaiciai) have proposed in Parliament (Seimas)
to use their ancient language in their region.

Therefore there is nothing new about the proposal
to teach and preserve Aboriginal languages in Australia.
The word "Aboriginal" means an ethnic native of the region
- which applies to all people around the world.

Pelican,

Variations in dialect IS taken into consideration in different parts of New Zealand. Ngai Tahu is pretty much the default variant for obvious reasons, but dialect varies with place names and signs etc...

Dear Suzonline

You said:

//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.//

You know..I can handle the weird Christaphobic comments of people who I have no real respect for.. you know the type.. 'to a hammer everything is a nail' kind.. those who just trash something because they 'just do'...without getting down to the nitty gritty of it all.

But you? I don't sense you are like some of those bottom feeders at all.. so your comment hurts.

It hurts for a number of reasons. I was/am a Missionary. I'm married to an indigenous lady from a tribe which was on the brink of extinction, and who reached OUT to the only "missionaries" they knew.. and asked them to come and teach them about "Jesus"

Please see what one of those indigenous tribal people says about this.

http://www.lifespring-buedulun.net/view/?pageID=237582

Historical background

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lun_Bawang

A more elaborate European account of the Lun Bawang people is by Spenser St. John in 1860, where he described the impoverished condition of the Lun Bawang (then called Limbang Muruts) people under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate. He also gave account of the aborigines (Murut and Bisaya) rise to insurrection, however these rebellions were always suppressed by threat by the Brunei government to bring in Kayans to subdue the opposition.[13]

Spenser St.John also described the tyranny conducted by the Brunei aristocrats upon the Limbang Muruts, which include seizing their children to be sold as slaves if taxes were not paid, and on one occasion, when the Brunei capital were in a state of alarm by the marauding Kayan warriors, the Brunei aristocrat offered a whole Limbang Murut village to be pillaged, in return for the safety of the capital.

I'm happy to try to answer any remaining questions you might have.

Each indigenous culture has its own specific needs and abilities. To compare Australian aborigines with New Zealand maori people is comparing apples and oranges. There was never one representative group of aboriginal people, but around 800 different aboriginal nations. The traits of the maori's are much more organised and war-like, that they held One Tree Hill for a number of years by basically trench warfare many years before WW1.

Unfortunately, at the present time, aboriginal culture is eating itself. Everybody loves a dot-painting and so everybody is churning them out as fast as possible, despite them being historically done only by women in certain desert tribes. Didgeridoos are being churned out also, complete with dot paintings on them, despite historically only being played by men in certain tribes. There would be many more examples but you get the drift. As the language and culture are handed down verbally, it only takes one or two generations to miss out and its gone forever. I see poor examples now, of cultural things being rewritten and gaps filled in to suit current attitudes.

So yes, there should be good policy to try and save what is left, but no, once it has gone it shouldnt be cobbled together with bits and pieces from here and there. The languages should be taught where appropriate, but as a second language.

Suzie shows her ignorance

'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.'

Do you know what the life expectancy of aboriginals were prior to the missionaries arriving. Do you know some of the perverted practices that make the paedophile priests look mild. You really are blinded by dogma.

Well here I go again swimming up hill, against the tide of political clap trap.
Separation in south Africa was racist.
Here we hide behind Aboriginal culture as a reason for shanty towns that breed hopelessness.
I could put a very solid case that our separation is racist too.
It could be debated it is a way to keep these people down.
I point to people with two cultures from every country in the world, who now live here.
Not one of those cultures keep poverty and hopelessness alive as much as missions do.
Aboriginals can both keep culture and live better but [sorry mate] Suzie online an those who think like her are not helping.
We few if any of us, understand sometimes people need help must have help to develop a culture of self help.
How many, truly, Aboriginals would want to go back to pre white man stone age existance.
And if they did? if we left would those who followed us be any different.
I demand equality for our first Australians, but not forever blaming yesterday for today.

What always intrigues me about these suggestions is that it always falls on someone else to do the hard yards. Inevitably that becomes school children who should shoulder the burden and for what benefit to them?

The opportunity is always there for those who would like lost languages 'preserved' to get off their posteriors and learn the languages themselves. I do the same for history by putting time and money into a historic house and oral history.

Few people realise what is involved in offering a new subject at school. Also, those who would suggest changes to the school curriculum usually don't see why students and parents should have an input as well.

Dear Alex (Occidental Christian),

If you google:

"Aboriginal Languages in Australian Schools,"
You'll get quite a few websites that may
be of interest to you.

Here's just one:

http://www.alrrc.nsw.gov.au/

You have raised a very important subject.
Because to teach Aboriginal languages in
Australia would give the younger generation
a greater sense of self esteem, identity
and pride in who they are, where they came
from and a direction of where they should
be going.

The preservation of languages is so important.
It's a direct link to one's culture and ancestry.

cont'd ...

I was raised in a multi-lingual home.
I attended "Saturday Language School"
as did my children, who today speak
several languages. To me that is
quite acceptable and normal and it's
something in our house, that we take
for granted.

Languages have made a huge difference in
our lives both when travelling overseas,
and inter-acting with different people.

It broadens one's horizons - and makes one
appreciate the world through many different
perspectives.

Well, interesting posts! Thank you all.
I have mentioned the Maori in New Zealand to say that the kind action in New Zealand cannot be copied to Australia. In New Zealand nationwide policies can be carried out because they only have Maori as single indigenous language. This is never practicable in Australia as well as in other "newland countries". The state gouvernments can only create supportive conditions and laws against evident discriminations. More detailed indigenous policies in Australia can only be determined by town and city councils. For example, I would suggest that indigenous languages are given official status by local administrations. In areas with high presence of speakers of indigenous languages English/indigenous bilingualism should actually be normal.
Yes, the preservation and revitalization of regional languages concerns many European countries. Many steps forward have been made in most European countries. Negative examples in Europe are Greece, Germany, my own country and to some extent France. When I look at other European countries, I am indeed ashamed about few popular and political support for regional languages in Germany.

Segregation on a voluntar base to a certain degree is certainly favourable for preserving the own identity. The model of former South Africa is however determined by disrespect and discriminatory actions. In a civilized society respectful contacts as between neighbours within the comprehensive state are the right way.

At ALGOREisRICH:
I also notice widespread christophobia today. I think that honest missionaries have to respect the culture and feelings of indigenous people as well as others. We have to differentiate between missionaries who were hidden colonialists with destructive results and those who have done their best to defend indigenous people and their culture.
One question to you: Are there examples where tribal traditions have been kept by modifying them according to christian values and needs similar to what has happened in Europe long ago?
And we Europeans have not lost our identity after having become Christians. It has even become a definitive part of our culture.

Alex

Runner <" Do you know what the life expectancy of aboriginals were prior to the missionaries arriving"?

No, and neither do you.

What I do know is that missionaries brought foreign foods, colds, influenza, measles and tuberculosis with them, along with their preaching, causing vast numbers of deaths amongst their new 'converts'.

Their life expectancy continues to be much less today than other Australians because of all the foods and diseases brought into this country by the European invaders of the day.

The Aboriginal nation existed for some 40,000 years before the European settlers arrived, so they managed just fine with their own culture and beliefs.

None so blind as those who WILL NOT see.
What Culture Suzeonline?
Yes they had a culture but do you understand it was not what we today call culture/
Why can we both ignore the very real damage Christians did both all over the Pacific and here[understand you do not ignore it]
And talk about white mans so called invasion without understanding every country has been invaded many times.
Evidence say these folk like every human group came from another place.
Blindness is letting Christians, todays Christians,write in threads like this about things they tried to take away from our first people.
Tell me it was not Christians who first insisted both culture and language be forgotten.
Look honestly at the lack of will to go to school by todays Aboriginal kids understand that is the first need education and understanding .
Care for heritage will follow.

Suzeonline,

“The Aboriginal nation existed for some 40,000 years before the European settlers arrived, so they managed just fine with their own culture and beliefs.”

What a nice, comforting little Rousseauian wet dream

Just a few corrections:
Firstly, there was no concept of an “Aboriginal nation” until our leftist pollies and pseudo–academics decided to concoct the slogan.
Secondly, the Aboriginal tribes -- as with other human grouping elsewhere --fought amongst themselves, sometimes with great ferocity, and
Thirdly, disease and natural disaster were here long before Europeans arrived --- as was environmental degradation.

Sorry to disillusion you.

Susie,
I am not religous but do not think you can blame the missionaries for the spread of disease that the aboriginals were vulnerable to. The explorers and squatters were first in the areas.

Here is an article in the Aus this morning.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/nothing-constructive-in-housing-disaster/story-e6frg6zo-1225877647700

I find it ironic that there is discussion about the teaching of second language when the above is the situation in many communities.

First we have to ensure the safety of the kids and teach them the langauge skills to enable them to get on in the modern world with computers and stuff.

Once we have achieved that then we can look at extra cultural matters.

The government should be well and truely ashamed about the housing debarcle.

Suzie thinks the missionaries are to blame for the pink bats debacle, the schools scandal and the climate change fiasco. Maybe if she looked in her own heart she might discover a few home truths.

This story is without doubt a shame. I do not consider such matters as not relevant.
But a distinct identity as well as managing the own community independently from constant charity belongs in my eyes to the dignity of peoples, too.

Alex

Alex with respect you are quite right, you do not understand.
But some born here third or Fourth generation do not either.
Some who post here are actually supporters of the first Australians, I think I am.
But todays culture is a mixture of many cultures including white mans.
Yesterdays events can not be blamed for todays mess.
The NT housing scandal highlights failure from my government, and puts the spotlight on a minister in the party I vote for who is useless.
You talk of a Way of living most do not want, unless it is free and comes without effort.
Striding down the footpath I watched 6 young Aboriginals dressed in suits come toward me, found it good to see.
until they passed one said these words hey bloke you cannt go wrong here salvos on one corner St Vinny's on the other and Smith family just down the road, all Charity's Alex.

learning a language can be a career opportunity.

"The Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) has celebrated 10 years of service, helping Indigenous Territorians communicate in their first language."
http://australia.to/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3386:aboriginal-interpreter-service-turns-10-years-old&catid=97:news-media-releases&Itemid=161