In 2019 the MLT alongside Adnyamathanha community, began development of a multi-purpose biking/walking trail in Leigh Creek. The Akurra trail, located in the Northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia, features the interlinked relationship of language, culture, tradition, and country. The trail highlights Adnyamathanha language through bilingual signing along the 10.5 km return trip.
Athu Nhanhika ‘I Saw’ is a bilingual children’s picture book. The story was authored by Thanthi Syd Strangways, Arabana speaker and Elder. This story tells of what he saw walking through his traditional country, Finniss Springs (Kathi Thanda, Lake Eyre). MLT Arabana language worker Lakota Milera-Weetra, great-grandchild of Thanthi Syd Strangways, developed hand drawn illustrations to accompany photographs and bring the story to life.
In 2015 the Yankunytjatjara community began working with the MLT to repatriate and make accessible a wealth of Yankunytjatjara language and cultural materials which was produced over the past 50 years. We worked with community Elders, museums, archives and government agencies to digitise these materials and bring them back to communities on the APY Lands, making them accessible for all future generations.
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, empower and embolden 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.
