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.

Current grants recipients

2023 Indigenous Languages Grants recipients

Region (based on program delivery locations)	Organisation name	Program name	Funding (excl GST)	Program delivery locations
South East Queensland	Gold Coast SUNS	Yalgan – SUNS theme song	$8,000	Cararra
South East Queensland	National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Limited t/as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary	Audioscape creation in Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Yarning Circle	$8,300	Currumbin
South East Queensland	Centenary SHS Parents and Citizens association	Indigenous language signage and embedding Indigenous language into the curriculum language	$9,500	Jindalee
Far North Queensland	Dabu Jajikal Aboriginal Corporation	Researching, reviving and documenting Dabu Jajikal languages	$10,000	Wujul Wujul
South East Queensland	Hope Dreaming Indigenous Corporation	Consultation, Development, and Guidelines for Kabi-Kabi Curriculum and Resources for Educational entities in teaching Indigenous Languages on Country	$10,000	Nambour
Far North Queensland	Angkamuthi Tribal Aboriginal Corporation	Biocultural Mapping and Language Recording on Seven Rivers Country	$10,000	Injinoo
North Queensland	Diwah Group Limited	Yangga (Jangga) Language and Website construction	$10,000	Townsville
South East Queensland	Jessie Lloyd Music PTY LTD	Kala Lagaw Ya Learning Songs	$10,000	Marsden
South East Queensland	Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation (JPAC) Registered Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate	Gathering language, gathering community	$10,000	Ipswich
Far North Queensland	Ewamian Limited	Ek Wamin Arrbila - Wamin language here and now	$10,000	Mareeba
South East Queensland	Salt Water Murris Quandamooka Art Gallery	Quandamooka language reclamation through storytelling	$10,000	Dunwich
Central South West	Bidjara Media and Broadcasting / 4RR FM	The Bidjara Language Project: Generation Gundunoo	$9,850	Charleville
Far North Queensland	Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council	Mapoon Language Project – Preparing for Salvage	$10,000	Mapoon
South East Queensland	Wangkumarra Kawalanyi Aboriginal Corporation	Wangkumarra Language Revitalisation	$10,000	Springwood
North Queensland	Gkuthaarn and Kukatj Aboriginal Corporation	Gkuthaarn Language Cards	$10,000	Normanton
Central South West	Lumburra Bimbi Pty Ltd	Western Kangoulu Language Project	$10,000	Rockhampton
Far North Queensland	Buda:Dji Aboriginal Development Association Aboriginal Corporation	Ngirrma Djabugay Teaching Kit: Stage 1	$9,540	Mareeba
Central South West	Girringun Aboriginal Corporation	Revitalizing Warrangnu Language	$9,837	Cardwell
Central South West	Gidarjil Central Queensland Language Centre	Multimedia resources for learning and teaching languages of central Queensland	$10,000	Bundaberg
Far North Queensland	Torres Strait Island Regional Council	Mepla Voice	$10,000	Cairns
Far North Queensland	Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council	Art Yarning Project	$6,950	Hope Vale
North Queensland	Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council	Share our Language – Youth Art project	$6,200	Doomadgee
Central South West	Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation	Mithaka Language Discovery and Preservation	$10,000	Windorah
Central South West	Gummingurru Aboriginal Corporation	Bunya Burra Language Project	$10,000	Gowrie Junction
Far North Queensland	Dulabed & Malanbarra Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation (DMYAC) RNTBC	Duga Yidinj Gurruun (Learn Yidinj Language)	$10,000	Gordonvale

Previous grants recipients

Contact us

If you would like to receive email communication about future Indigenous languages initiatives, please call the Culture and Reconciliation Team on (07) 3003 6440 or email us on ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.