Kimberley remote communities help reverse tide of language extinction

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died. "Speaking language from your ancestors is a privilege and a strong connection to your ancestors," Maureen said. Language loss and language strength Colonisation had taken what Maureen calls the "privilege" of speaking language away from many Indigenous Australians. Many different Indigenous languages are spoken across the Kimberley A team of elders and language officers, including Maureen, spent months on the road travelling to 23 communities across the Kimberley and spoke to more than 300 people from 27 language groups. Maureen said communities across the Kimberley were calling for new language learning resources to use in an old classroom — the bush.