The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and Rio Tinto have announced a new three-year partnership to support First Nations communities in preserving, revitalising and strengthening Indigenous languages for future generations.
Developed alongside First Nations communities, ALNF's Living First Languages Platform places language ownership in community hands.
Combining cultural knowledge with digital technology, the platform enables communities to capture, manage and teach language in ways which reflect local priorities, cultural protocols and aspirations.
The partnership will support community-led language initiatives in Mapoon (Queensland), Nhulunbuy/Yirrkala (Northern Territory), Bidyadanga (Western Australia), Bundjalung Country (New South Wales and Queensland), and Kalkatungu Country (Queensland).
Cultural Heritage Advisor for the Mapoon Language Project, Jason Jia, said the partnership represents an important investment in the future of Language and culture.
"The Mapoon Language Project is more than a program, it is a living commitment to keeping language, culture, and identity strong for future generations," Mr Jia said.
"Through working alongside Elders and community, we are not just recording words, but strengthening connections to Country and ensuring our stories, knowledge, and voices continue to thrive for years to come.
"This work is essential, and ongoing funding ensures that this cultural knowledge is not lost but carried forward with pride and purpose."
The project will see communities will document, teach and share language, strengthen local capability, and develop new digital resources that help keep languages strong and accessible for generations to come.
Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation Chief Executive, Anne Hollonds, said the Foundation greatly appreciates the opportunity to work alongside communities dedicated to seeing teaching and learning flourish in their languages.
"Being able to read, write, speak, listen and understand in one's own Language has a powerful lifelong impact on education, employment, identity, wellbeing, social connection and belonging," Ms Hollonds said.
"Communities are leading this work, and we are honoured to support them and be trusted by them."
Rio Tinto said over the next three years, the partnership will support community-led language initiatives across Australia through training, mentoring, community governance, technology, digital language resources, interactive learning tools and opportunities for Language groups to connect and learn from one another.
It will also strengthen the Living First Languages Platform, ensuring communities continue to have access to practical tools that place Language ownership and knowledge in their own hands.
"This partnership will provide Indigenous communities with a range of resources to retain control and ownership of their languages," Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive and Australia Country Head, Matthew Holcz, said.
"For tens of thousands of years, Indigenous communities have cared for Country, and by honouring their languages, we can help strengthen and protect this deep cultural history."
