Indigenous Languages Grants
Indigenous Languages Grants aim to increase the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken in Queensland in partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The importance of language
Language is central to identity and connects people to culture, country and kin. Language is also critical to sharing and preserving cultural knowledge and understanding.
With very few fluent speakers remaining in some areas, many languages could easily be lost in the next few decades. The loss of language means the loss of cultural identity that incorporates unique ways of knowing and experiencing the world.
Ensuring children learn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages is an integral part of preservation—it forms a sense of continuity between the leaders of the past and the leaders of tomorrow, who will be responsible for carrying languages and culture forward into the future.
2024–25 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Indigenous Languages Grants.
This year, 19 eligible Queensland based projects and cultural activities that incorporate First Nations languages were awarded a total of $272,294 in grant funding to support a range of initiatives, including art, drama, music, film project, Yarning Circles, audio recordings, workshops, signage, books, posters and brochures.
Thank you to all applicants for your commitment to sharing and preserving First Nation languages in Queensland.
| Region (based on program delivery locations) | Organisation name | Program name | Funding (excl GST) | Program delivery locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Queensland | Yooribaya Cultural Experiences Pty Ltd | Boori Warba | $15,000 | Airlie Beach |
| Far North Queensland | Mabuygiw Garkaziw Kupay Torres Strait Islander Corporation | Mabuyag Island Language Project | $15,000 | Mabuiag Island |
| South East Queensland | Gold Coast SUNS | YALGAN SUN Audio Book and Community Activation | $11,500 | Carrara |
| Far North Queensland | The Trustee for Mabaigal Trust | Preservation and sharing of the Kulkalgaw Ya Dialect | $15,000 | Poruma Island |
| Far North Queensland | Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation | Ngirrma Yirrgay - Caring for Country through Language | $15,000 | Portsmith |
| South East Queensland | Kombumerri Aboriginal Corporation for Culture | Language Promotion | $15,000 | Beenleigh |
| Far North Queensland | Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | DMYAC Language Program | $15,000 | Gordonvale |
| South East Queensland | Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation | Quandamooka Language Reclamation Project: Sharing Stories, Educating Communities, and Engaging Visitors | $15,000 | Dunwich |
| Central South West | Campfire Healing Indigenous Corporation | Yallambee Echoes of Our Ancestors Media Project | $15,000 | Healy |
| Far North Queensland | Tagai State College Yorke Island Campus 1945 | Apaw Lag/Beautification | $15,000 | Masig Island |
| South East Queensland | Nambour Special School P and C Association | Culture and language sessions for students and Gubbi Gubbi signage for bush tucker garden, classrooms and school grounds. | $12,000 | Burnside |
| North Queensland | Doomadgee State School | Our Words, Our Way | $10,000 | Doomadgee |
| South East Queensland | Centenary State High School Parents and Citizens Organisation | Manggarra Spiritual garden and Indigenous language program for students | $14,628 | Jindalee |
| Far North Queensland | Bamagau Kazil Torres Strait Islanders Corporation | Bamagau Kazil Language Program | $15,000 | Bamaga |
| Far North Queensland | Tagalaka Aboriginal Corporation | Gathering Tagalaka language project | $14,766 | Croydon |
| North Queensland | Mungalla Aboriginal Corporation | Nywaigi Waja Wiiri: Stories in Words | $15,000 | Forrest Beach |
| Far North Queensland | Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council | Gunggandji Seasonal Calendar – Bush Foods in Language | $15,000 | Yarrabah |
| South East Queensland | Ripley Valley State Secondary College Parents and Citizens Association | Yarning Circle Enhancement | $14,400 | South Ripley |
| Far North Queensland | Kowanyama State School | Returning Kunjen Back to Community | $15,000 | Kowanyama |
Previous grants recipients
- 2023 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients
- 2021 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients
- 2020 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients
- 2019 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients
More information
For more information to support the announcement of the 2025 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients, view the promotional toolkit and download resources.
View the promotional toolkit and download resources.
Contact us
If you would like to receive email communication about future Indigenous languages initiatives, please email the Culture and Reconciliation team at ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.