[RNLD] changes to Indigenous Languages Support Program announced

Wed Apr 1 21:20:27 UTC 2015

Hi everyone,

Regarding the comments and queries that have followed from my posting a
couple of days ago, I think many of us are still feeling our way and
working with the preliminary information that we're receiving from ILS (now
ILA program).

In response to some of the queries:

We've been told by ILS that the "Framework to guide the planning,
implementation and review of language projects" is being developed by First
Languages Australia http://www.firstlanguages.org.au/. We were also told
that other people/organisations will be consulted and asked to provide
input before it is finalised and adopted. There's no guidance yet on
timeframe and process.

My understanding is that the development of the Framework does come from
genuine concern in the department to provide more guided support to people
undertaking language projects. However, as Peter noted and those of us in
the field realise, there are clear challenges to developing such a
framework and it remains to be seen how effectively it will be framed and
implemented.

The FAQs indicate that the door is *not* entirely closed to new language
programs
http://arts.gov.au/topics/indigenous-arts-languages-and-culture/frequently-asked-questions
As I read it, a big difference in the new approach is splitting the funding
into three streams:

Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) - *direct offer*

Indigenous Languages and Arts (Projects) - *competitive round* "which is
expected to open mid-2015"

"one-off or ad hoc grants that do not involve a planned selection process
but are designed to meet a specific policy outcome or an urgent or
specialised requirement." This seems to be similar to the Strategic
Initiative Grants which existed under the ILS program, and were also
non-competitive and primarily allocated according to initiatives identified
within the department.

I don't think that this is just a one year strategy. It appears to be a
strategy that is is intended to continue beyond 2016.

I hope this helps a little. We'll continue to add information as it comes
to hand.

Note too that the web page suggests that "If you have any questions
regarding the new arrangements for the Indigenous Languages and Arts
(Languages) stream , please email Indigenouslanguages at arts.gov.au" so go
for it folk!

best wishes,
Margaret

On 1 April 2015 at 13:45, Peter Austin <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> 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
>>
>>
>> --
>> Dr Margaret Florey
>> DRIL Director
>> Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity
>>
>> I am usually available in the office Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and
>> Fridays except when I am travelling to deliver DRIL training workshops
>>
>> ph: +61 (03) 9041-5474 (office)
>> mob: 0488 086 031
>> skype: RNLDorg
>> Suite 1107, 530 Little Collins Street
>> Melbourne, Victoria 3000
>>
>> www.rnld.org
>> ABN 24 215 634 040
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Prof Peter K. Austin
> Marit Rausing Chair in Field Linguistics
> Director, Endangered Languages Academic Programme
> Research Tutor and PhD Convenor
> Department of Linguistics, SOAS
> Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
> London WC1H 0XG
> United Kingdom
>
> Homepage: http://www.hrelp.org/aboutus/staff/index.php?cd=pa
> Academia: https://soas.academia.edu/PeterAustin
> ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter_Austin2
> ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/P-5066-2014
> ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-0524
> Twitter: https://twitter.com/peterkaustin
>
>

-- 
Dr Margaret Florey
DRIL Director
Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity

I am usually available in the office Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays except when I am travelling to deliver DRIL training workshops

ph: +61 (03) 9041-5474 (office)
mob: 0488 086 031
skype: RNLDorg
Suite 1107, 530 Little Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

www.rnld.org
ABN 24 215 634 040
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