A vivid and poignant photographic exhibition has been launched by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to highlight the importance of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages.

23 September 2019

AIATSIS has worked with community members from different language groups across the country to develop the exhibition – Ngalipa Nyangu Jaru: Pirrjirdi Ka Ngalpa Mardani (Our Language: Keeping Us Strong).

The exhibition will be on display in the Rom Gallery at AIATSIS in Canberra until the new year, with an online version available for those who cannot visit in person. 
‘Kaji ngalipa-nyangu jaru wankaru karri, ngalipaju wankaru jarungku ka ngalpa pirrjirdi mardani,’ Theresa said. 

This translates to: ‘If the language survives, we survive. Because the language keeps us strong.’

Photo of Warlpiri translator Theresa Napurrurla Ross with her granddaughter courtesy of AIATSIS.
Image credit: Photo courtesy of AIATSIS.

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