The importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages will be the focus of NAIDOC Week celebrations which start on Sunday July 2.
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But those in the Bega Valley are invited to start celebrating a day early at the Giiyong Writers Forum at Jigamy Farm which will run over two days on July 1 and 2.
National writers will be descenting on the area to celebrate Aboriginal literature by exploring and showcasing the diverse nature of Indigenous writing within Australia and encouraging local writers to tell their stories.
A festival showcasing Aboriginal literature couldn’t be a more fitting celebration for this year’s NAIDOC Week which has the theme Our Languages Matter.
This theme aims to highlight the essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and in the transmission of Aboriginal history and spirituality.
Some 250 distinct Indigenous language groups covered the continent in the late eighteenth century. Today only around 120 of those languages are still spoken and many are at risk of being lost as Elders pass on.
Aboriginal language teacher Noeleen Lumby will address this year’s theme at the writers forum at 11.45am on Saturday when she takes the stage for a 30 minute discussion on the topic Reflections on Teaching and Learning Language in Communities.
The two-day festival is jam packed with discussions and workshops from writers, experts and authors each with something different to offer.
One such author is Warren Foster, a Djiringanj man from Wallaga Lake.
The dancer, musician, actor, writer and traditional knowledge holder has worked as a cultural teacher and tour guide in South East NSW for many years.
Mr Foster has written 15 traditional dreamtime stories about Yuin country and will share his experiences during the forum.
“I draw my inspiration from the land, from its people and their culture,” he said. “I love writing songs, poetry and stories.”
Other presenters include Eden elder Liddy Stewart and local archivist Sue Norman, Dr Jared Thomas, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Jeanine Leane and many more.
The Forum is open to anyone interested in exploring Aboriginal stories, issues and identity and perfect for people to develop their writing skills. For details see www.southeastarts.org.au/giiyong or call 64920711.
