Pathways to Community-Led Language Work
Pathways to Community-Led Language Work is transforming how communities connect with and preserve their languages through workshops focused on creating impactful resources. These workshops focus on producing language resources, identifying community language assets, and equipping future language workers with the skills to empower communities and inspire intergenerational language transmission.
By participating in resource production, community members gain hands-on experience that opens pathways into careers as Aboriginal Language Workers. Over the past four years, the program has supported six trainees in completing their traineeships and transitioning into meaningful roles in language revitalisation and related fields.
With guidance from linguists, experienced language workers, and media professionals at the MLT, trainees have contributed to language revival efforts with Kokatha, Wirangu and Ngarrindjeri languages and contribute to language maintenance with the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara languages. Their work not only delivers valuable resources to their communities but also strengthens cultural pride and community identity, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Garryn Wingfield
Kokatha
In 2022, Garryn Wingfield began a training course with the MLT, igniting his journey to revive his language. A Kokatha man from Port Augusta with a strong passion for language and culture, Garryn participated in an intensive two-week training workshop before embarking on a six-month traineeship at MLT.
Following his traineeship at the MLT, Garryn secured employment in native title research, collaborating with his community to deliver language and culture initiatives that continue to strengthen the future of the Kokatha people.
Garryn continues to be a part of Kokatha language revival work, working closely with community members, elders and the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation.
Watch Garryn's Story
Jessie Hughes
Yankunytjatjara
Jessie’s journey with language began at a young age, accompanying her mum, aunty, and grandparents as they worked tirelessly to create and develop language resources for the Yankunytjatjara community.
Alongside her language traineeship, Jessie worked with young Anangu children at the Tjitji Tjapu Childcare Centre in Coober Pedy. There, she worked with family and community members to integrate elements of language and culture into the early development of young Yankunytjatjara children.
After completing a six-month traineeship with the Mobile Language Team (MLT), Jessie became the host and producer of Nganampa Wangka, an Indigenous radio show broadcast across Adelaide and the remote far-north and west of South Australia, including the APY Lands. In this role, she utilized her language skills and community connections to celebrate and support Indigenous language programs while championing Indigenous artists and music from across the country.
In 2023, Jessie traveled to Paris as part of the Australian delegation for the launch of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages. She highlighted the Mobile Language Team’s language initiatives and celebrated the efforts of Aboriginal Language Workers across Australia, paving the way for a strong decade of language revitalisation and maintenance nationwide.
In 2024, Jessie began working in Aboriginal health services, collaborating with community members to ensure access to essential health care while supporting those living in remote communities across South Australia.
Jessie remains deeply involved in language maintenance activities with Yankunytjatjara people, both from her home in Coober Pedy and during her regular visits to the APY Lands. Most recently, she contributed to the MLT’s Oral Hygiene program in Iwantja and Mimili.
Amelia Amos
Kokatha and Pitjantjatjara
Amelia, a fluent speaker of Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, joined the MLT Pathways program in 2024. She focused on Kokatha, a closely related Western Desert language, and played a key role in developing and recording wangka (language) for online learning stories, helping make Kokatha more accessible to the community.
Later in 2024, Amelia became an Aboriginal Language Worker at the MLT. In this role, she works on Kokatha and other Western Desert languages, creating resources for schools and communities to support wangka accessibility and encourage speaking, reading, and writing skills among younger generations.
One of Amelia’s significant contributions in 2024 has been her work on the Kokatha Learn online program, which uses digital storytelling to provide immersive language learning experiences for Kokatha people.
Amelia continues her employment at the MLT as an Aboriginal Language Worker, working on resource production and language workshops with her community.
Haymish Moosha
Kokatha
One of our newest trainees, Haymish, has recently begun his traineeship, combining language and media to create a series of animated storybooks in wangka. Drawing on his skills in sound design, he is contributing to the production of three animations designed to help children learn language through themes like counting, animals and family.
While utilising his existing skillset, Haymish is also gaining new skills in language, education and animation production. He is at the start of his own language journey, creating resources that will support his community and others in building and strengthening their language knowledge.
Shirley Williams
Kokatha
Shirley’s main goal when she began the Pathways program was to improve her language skills so she could teach her children more effectively. With the support of the MLT, Shirley is developing a set of language resources tailored for parent-child interaction, designed for use in her everyday life.
From helping her kids get ready for school in the morning to asking them what they want for dinner, Shirley is incorporating everyday words and phrases into her routine. This not only strengthens her own language skills but also immerses her children in wangka throughout daily life.
Once the language resources are complete, they will be made available to everyone, allowing others to benefit from these practical, high-frequency language tools for everyday learning.
