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Top End Language Forum 2025: Indigenous Language Champions Unite at Charles Darwin University
Home Top End Language Forum 2025: Indigenous Language Champions Unite at Charles Darwin University
12 June 2025
4 minute read

Last week, 3- 5th of June, Batchelor's Centre of Languages and Linguistics (CALL) joined the Top End Language Forum (TELF) at Charles Darwin University, Casuarina campus, along with other Indigenous run organisations, language centres, and Aboriginal Interpreter Services (AIS).

Funded by AIATSIS, the TELF hosted language champions from across more than 10 communities across the Top End of the Northern Territory. The forum was facilitated by Yolŋu woman Rarrtjiwuy Melanie Herdman from Djalkirri Corporation in Northeast Arnhem Land, respected and loved Tiwi Elder Pirrawayingi Puruntatameri, Yolŋu and Daygurrgurr Gupapuyŋu Elder Ian Mongunu Gumbula, and Mawng language advocate and teacher Jenny Manmurulu. The aim of the forum was for language groups to gather and discuss their work and bond through experiences of language advocacy and "Märr" a Yolŋu Matha word relating to spiritual power or passionate force that drives Indigenous Australians language work.

The first TELF held in 2022 provided opportunities for Indigenous Australians' language advocates to express their needs and aspirations for language work. From across the Top End of the Northern Territory, language champions gathered to share their work and produced a draft of the 'Strong Languages Statement'.

Dean Austin, a Wubuy language teacher and advocate from Numburindi Corporation, describes how he teaches kids Wubuy by "teaching them smaller words, that get bigger, giving to my community, bit-by-bit in Wubuy language". Dean explained the importance of teaching kids’ country in relation to where they stand "north, south, east, west" and ended his talk with a singing a song he had translated into Wubuy.

The forum ended with plans to meet again, around the PULiiMA 2025 conference, to finalise the 'Strong Languages Statement' for future endorsement and ratification.