A Yankunytjatjara teacher from Mutitjulu community has stressed the importance of teaching First Nation languages to Aboriginal students for many for important reasons…
Aboriginal languages have been a topic of discussion recently with Traditional Owners and leaders in the Gulf community of Borroloola expressing that the Special Envoy for Indigenous Affairs Tony Abbott is not welcome in their community due to their dis-trust of Mr Abbott's attitude to Aboriginal languages.
It seems that some Australians don’t yet understand the unbreakable connection between language and culture.
Whilst in the Anangu community of Mututijulu recently, CAAMA met Thomas Hampton. Thomas is a Yungkanjaitjara man who works as a language educator.
Thomas can speak from personal experience. Growing up without his own language and culture, he admits he was on a less desirable path, but since learning his father’s and grandfather’s language he has become a dedicated teacher, strong community member and role model for young people.
Mr Hampton told CAAMA radio that the unconscious disconnect from language and culture, creates problems with identity for young First Nations people and that this 'question of identity' can lead to self-destructive behavior.
Mr Hampton adds that he is motivated to continue to advocate for Bi-lingual/bi-cultural learning, since he has seen the positive outcomes firsthand…
We sat together to speak about why language is important.
To hear the interview ----CLICK BELOW ---->