The Yuuingan Dhilla Yari: Indigenous Languages Forum brought language practitioners, creatives, educators, researchers, organisations and community members together at the State Library of Queensland on Tuesday for a day focused on First Languages in action.

The forum returned this year under the theme Create to Connect: First Languages in Action, exploring how Indigenous languages are being strengthened, shared and celebrated through community, creativity, education and cultural practice.

The day opened with a Welcome to Country by Yagarapul Elder Gaja Kerry Charlton, followed by opening remarks from State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald AM FALIA.

Master of Ceremonies Scott Wilson, a Gooniyandi and Gajerrong man from north-west Western Australia, guided the program and kept attendees entertained and engaged throughout the sessions.

Mr Wilson said the forum was focused on language being used across systems, not only recognised.

"The conversations that we're having here is absolutely all about language, and more importantly, language in action," he said.

The morning keynote, Old Stories, New (and Proper) Ways, was presented by Wiradyuri, Ngemba and Paakantji woman and Common Ground CEO Gemma Pol and Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wiradjuri woman and Communications Director Vanessa Morris.

Ms Pol said Common Ground's work was about carrying old knowledge into new spaces properly.

"We had a yarn today about how we can utilise digital storytelling in proper ways and bring old knowledge systems into new spaces," she said.

"Common Ground, we do lots of different projects but they're all centred on innovative knowledge and how we can bring knowledge into new spaces."

Projects included 'Dreamy' and 'First Nations Bedtime Stories', which support First Nations storytellers and filmmakers to create work on their own terms.

"They're writing and narrating their own dreamy sleep stories or mindful stories on their own terms," Ms Pol said.

"They then self-determine their own film shoot on their own country with their own families."

Common Ground also creates curriculum-linked education resources so the stories can be used in classrooms in safe ways.

Ms Pole said digital storytelling could help Elders and young people strengthen knowledge sharing.

"We get this question a lot that 'I have been asked by my elders to record their stories before it's too late, but I don't know where to start'," she said.

"We also hear from elders a lot as well that young people aren't picking up our stories and they're not learning the knowledge and the stories that they're trying to pass down."

Ms Pol said community control had to remain central.

"It's really important that we center community aspirations and community agency when we're doing digital storytelling," she said.

"Digital storytelling should not extract from communities, but it should center them and center community agency."

After morning tea, Mr Wilson chaired the First Languages in Action panel with Corey Tutt (Kamilaroi), Mayrah Dreise (Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay), Michael Passi (Mer Island) and Ella Woods (Kombumerri and Mununjali), covering STEM, education, storytelling, publishing, cultural capability and community-led language work.

The afternoon included a community conversation space and curator tours of 'Through Mununjali Eyes: photojournalist Wayne Coolwell.'

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The Residency Spotlight followed, with Georgia Corowa (South Sea Islander and Bundjalung) performing Yana alongside her cousin Zeke Power.

Sachém Parkin-Owens' soundscape Utcha ine bibboon mare - I Dreamt of You also played throughout kuril dhagun during the day, featuring sounds and language from Quandamooka Country.

Mr Wilson said gathering people across fields was central to the future of First Languages work.

"Where there's people, there's power," he said.

"And we need to be empowered to look towards a future. What does language look like for future generations?"

Mr Wilson said institutions needed to build trust through long-term relationships.

"Spend time with us," he said.

"The more cups of tea, the better the relationship, the conversation, and the trust that is being built."