On Mother Language Day This Place shares the stories behind Indigenous place names – To celebrate UNESCO International Mother Language Day ABC News and First Languages Australia are relaunching This Place, a national project that shares the stories behind Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names.
Across Australia, many places are known by their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names. But what do they mean?
From the name of a town or suburb, a street or bridge, a creek or a bend in the river, a mountain, landmark, outcrop or tree, place names are a starting point for sharing Australia’s ancient history and cultures.
This Place originally ran from 2019 – 2020, as part of the UN Year of Indigenous Languages, with more than 60 videos produced.
The project is relaunching as part of the new ABC Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan and will continue to build the collection of place name stories, sharing them across the ABC to audiences as well as adding to the First Languages Australia Gambay map.
Suzanne Dredge, ABC News Head International & Indigenous News:
“The relaunch of This Place is an exciting venture the ABC is thrilled to be a part of again. This project brings an understanding of who we are and why it’s important to continue documenting and celebrating more than 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. This Place is a community led project where language custodians share the rich cultural heritage of this continent for our future generations.”
Beau Williams, CEO First Languages Australia:
“First Languages Australia is pleased to see this important project launched again and we look forward to sharing these films as they are released. We recognise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being able to speak and speak about their languages. As the national peak body for strengthening our languages, we’re looking forward to increasing public awareness of First Nations languages.”
Video producers from the ABC’s 67 locations will be seeking to collaborate with local Indigenous communities to share place name stories. If you are interested in participating, please contact thisplace@abc.net.au
View This Place stories: abc.net.au/thisplace
Media Release – ABC
Link to ABC iview HERE
TV Central ABC content HERE
On Mother Language Day This Place shares the stories behind Indigenous place names
