Over the past two years, the MLT has been running an Oral Hygiene program on the APY Lands to raise oral hygiene awareness among children in remote communities while also strengthening the Yankunytjatjara language.
A Closing the Gap pilot program, this project works with communities in Indulkana and Mimili to promote good oral hygiene practices through community-based workshops and a Yankunytjatjara language focused awareness campaign.
As part of the MLTs Pathways to Community-Led Language Work project, Garryn Wingfield undertook a language training course – now he is reviving his language. Garryn is a Kokatha man from Port Augusta with a deep interest in language and culture. After participating in a two-week training workshop, Garryn undertook a six-month traineeship at the MLT. Now Garryn is employed as an Aboriginal Language Worker with a focus on the revival of the Kokatha language.
In 2023 Yankunytjatjara Myra Kumantjara worked with the MLT and South Australian Museum to co-curate and develop Bunganditj Kala! Yankunytjatjara Wangka! — Keeping Ancestral Voices Alive! for Tarnanthi 2023. Combing art, language and history together to develop learning resources for Yankunytjatjara kids, learning language on country, in schools and at home. Myra’s work is set to launch in October 2023 as part of Tarnanthi at the South Australian Museum.
A community first approach is at the heart of the MLT’s work. This means we are community guided, led and directed and value the continued input, direction and oversight from our community partners. From the Mobile Language Team Advocacy and Advisory Committee to individual language speakers in remote and rural communities, all of our projects work to involve and empower the communities we work with and for.
The MLT partners with a host of community organisations and institutions across Australia and the world. Our organisational links are across a number of disciplines including languages, health, education, arts, advocacy and the public sector. These important relationships ensures the continued successful implementation of our projects and work.
The MLT is uniquely positioned to focus on the implementation of projects, policy recommendations and overarching directions and trends as outlined by community stakeholders and government agencies. Our position within both community and academia allows us to have a foot in both worlds to ensure the successful implementation of policy directives and initiatives outlined through research and engagement. Our team is focused on delivering successful language outcomes for communities across the state. We provide a best practice model for language revival work across the country.
Since 2009, the MLT has consistently delivered on the key objectives of our program in new and innovative ways. Deep community engagement and trust with key stakeholders sits at the heart of the important language revival work that we do. Consulting with the community to develop strategic projects according to their unique needs and wishes has built the MLT’s reputation as a premiere language service in South Australia. Our continued commitment to community engagement is evident in the community’s ongoing positive engagement with the MLT Advisory, Policy and Advocacy Committee.
Community-first, community driven and community centric outcomes is at the heart of our projects and language activities.
Get in touch with us today for more information about how we can service your community’s needs.
We love to hear from you. Whether it’s feedback on the work we’re doing, an idea for a new project you’d like to take on with your community or simply to chat all things languages we’re here to help. Drop in, email or call us any time. Let’s have a chat about how we can work together to support language communities across South Australia.
