Last week the Victorian government announced its first step towards a policy on Indigenous languages. So, Noel Pearson was onto something..
I wonder what’s on their wishlist? Dual naming of places (that’ll be slow after the Grampians fiasco)? More ceremonial language used on ceremonial occasions and in official publications? Some Indigenous languages to be taught in schools (that will require a big investment in preparing teaching materials and training teachers, to avoid alienating kids)?
It’s a delicate situation – seeing what can sensibly be done with what has been kept, while recognising what’s been lost, and acknowledging the grief over this. Oh, and presenting the languages in a way which doesn’t make them seem like dusty old boomerangs in a cupboard.
And fighting through personal politics is a big challenge too… it can really plague efforts like this.
I hope it’s been a successful effort. Go VACL!