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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages

Did you know there are over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups in Queensland? State Library of Queensland supports communities in the revival, documentation and preservation of traditional languages. We acknowledge language heritage and knowledge always remain with the Traditional Owners, Elders, language custodians and other community members of the respective language nation.

Indigenous Languages Creative Arts Residency

A platform to celebrate, revitalise, and innovate First Nations languages by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander emerging and established creatives to amplify language through contemporary and cultural expression.
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After the Flood, 2024, artwork by Megan Cope

Interactive Queenslander Languages Map

Explore our interactive map on diverse Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

Resources

Women participating in the Research Discovery Workshop at the State Library of Queensland.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander word lists
Discover a range of words from saying g’day to place names to animal names and more.
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Scragg, Sarah. (n.d.). Dancers Performing at the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival, 2009, Collection reference: 10183 Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival photographs.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections
Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through photographs, manuscripts, oral histories and digital stories collections.
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Woman using computer at the Caboolture public library
Tool kits
Our tool kits aim to provide community members, language workers and others with useful information to promote community language revival programs and activities.
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Downloads

International Year of Indigenous Languages FAQ's

PDF · 444 KB

International Year of Indigenous Languages learning notes

PDF · 378 KB

Exhibitions

Man will child in stroller exploring the Jarjum Stories showcase at State Library.
Jarjum stories
Enjoy the colourful world of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jarjum (children’s) books and storytelling.
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People viewing the Spoken exhibition in slq Gallery
Spoken
A thought-provoking exhibition about the survival and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
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Watch

Minya Birran: what now for Indigenous languages?

Coinciding with International Mother Language Day, the forum explored ways to harness the goodwill and energy of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages and posed the question of what now?
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Minya Birran

Funding acknowledgment: State Library of Queensland's Indigenous Language Project is supported by funding from the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program (ILA) from the Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication: Ministry for the Arts.