NSW introduces nation's first laws to recognise and revive Indigenous languages

“An Australian parliament has moved to recognise and revive Indigenous languages for the first time in the nation's history.

Hundreds gathered outside NSW Parliament in Sydney on Wednesday to usher in an historic piece of legislation — the Aboriginal Languages Bill.

As part of the new legislation, the State Government said it would appoint an independent panel of Aboriginal language experts and establish a new languages centre.

Dr Ray Kelly from the University of Newcastle, who sung and spoke his Dunghutti language in the Parliament, said it was an emotional day.

"[The bill's] genesis is 30 years, 40 years old, so people have been talking about the rights for language and the protection of Aboriginal languages," Dr Kelly said.

"And [this is] for all of those older people who are no longer walking the path with us.”

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Article Source: www.abc.net.au