[RNLD] changes to Indigenous Languages Support Program announced

Wed Apr 1 03:03:50 UTC 2015

I agree – this is extremely disappointing and effectively putting an end to the largest source of government funding for new language centres and one-off community-centred language projects.

From: Andrew Cunningham <lang.support at gmail.com<mailto:lang.support at gmail.com>>
Date: Wednesday, 1 April 2015 12:57 pm
To: Peter Austin <pa2 at soas.ac.uk<mailto:pa2 at soas.ac.uk>>
Cc: Margaret Florey <mflorey at rnld.org<mailto:mflorey at rnld.org>>, RNLD list <r-n-l-d at unimelb.edu.au<mailto:r-n-l-d at unimelb.edu.au>>
Subject: Re: [RNLD] changes to Indigenous Languages Support Program announced

Also interesting to note that offers will be tragetted, ie they will decide who they want to engage in and give grants to, and they have closed the door on any funding to new language programs

Andrew

On 1 April 2015 at 13:45, Peter Austin <pa2 at soas.ac.uk<mailto:pa2 at soas.ac.uk>> wrote:
Margaret

Thanks for sending around this information -- it is very interesting to see, and try to understand from afar, the new approach being adopted.

One change that seems to be significant, at least from my position of ignorance outside Australia, is the following:

"The Ministry for the Arts is developing a Framework to guide the planning, implementation and review of language projects funded through Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages). The Framework aims to assist Indigenous communities to make more informed decisions about their plans for the revival or maintenance of their language(s). All Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) funding recipients, in particular language centres, will be required to use the Framework in the planning, implementation and review of their language activities. Funding recipients will also be required to use the Framework to develop a Language Plan (depending on the type of language project) for each of the languages being targeted. Funding recipients will be required to consult with Indigenous communities in the development of their language plan."

Given that language revival and maintenance are undertheorised and no "proven methods" exist, I wonder who is specifying this "Framework" and what it might look like. Any ideas?

Peter

On 31 March 2015 at 12:55, Margaret Florey <mflorey at rnld.org<mailto:mflorey at rnld.org>> wrote:
Dear RNLDers,

Senator George Brandis, Minister for the Arts, today issued a press release outlining changes to the Indigenous Languages Support Program. See http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2015/FirstQuarter/31-March-2015-Improvements-to-Indigenous-Arts,-Languages-and-Culture-Funding-Programs.aspx

According to the press release, the new Indigenous Languages and Arts program will fund organisations that support the revival and maintenance of Indigenous languages, and provide career opportunities and pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language workers. Operational funds for art and languages centres and service delivery organisations will be delivered through targeted grants (direct offers) from 1 July 2015.

In addition to Senator Brandis' press release the Indigenous Languages Support web site has already been modified to become Indigenous Languages and Arts. See http://arts.gov.au/topics/indigenous-arts-languages-and-culture/indigenous-languages-and-arts.

The web site includes more details on the changes. The FAQ page http://arts.gov.au/…/indigenous-…/frequently-asked-questions<http://arts.gov.au/topics/indigenous-arts-languages-and-culture/frequently-asked-questions> provides some detail on the process of direct offers to be made to targetted organisations, and the application process that will open later for language projects.

We understand that guidelines are likely to be finalised and released in the next couple of weeks.

best wishes
Margaret

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