August 2025, Darwin Australia
The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (the Commission) participated in the PULiiMA Indigenous Languages and Technology Conference, described as the largest Indigenous languages conference in the Southern Hemisphere. The gathering happens every two years and brings together language champions from across Australia and around the world to exchange knowledge, share promising practises, and strengthen global networks to advance language revitalization efforts.
The conference was opened by the Larrakia Peoples with an ‘acknowledgement of Country’, as traditional stewards of the land. The Commission was invited to participate in their cultural protocols through a Saltwater Ceremony led by Larrakia Elders and knowledge keepers. It was a meaningful way to ground the days ahead by honouring the land, sea, and the Ancestors.
The Commission was honoured to contribute and engage in several sessions and engagements over the course of the visit. They met with the Miromaa Aboriginal Language Technology Centre, which has harnessed the use of digital tools to support community language projects across Australia and internationally. They also presented at a session that brought together several key Indigenous ‘language peaks’ or bodies working hard to implement the Closing the Gap framework. The framework brings together governments and Indigenous bodies in setting measurable targets. The Torres Strait Islander Languages Policy Partnership was launched in 2022 and came with a federal investment of $20.8 million to support national implementation. Closing the Gap Target 16 commits to a sustained increase in strength for their languages by 2031.
The Commission met with the Aboriginal Languages Trust, established under New South Wales’ Aboriginal Languages Act (2017), which plays a significant role in supporting regional language centres. It was an opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange, learning how the Trust is structured and operationalized to support communities.
Commissioner Ignace delivered the opening keynote, Out from the Shadows and Into the Light: the Role of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, where he shared the long and protracted journey from the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, the eventual passing of the Indigenous Languages Act, and the establishment of the Commission. He shared key initiatives and priorities since it opened its doors. He directed his message to the next generation of language warriors, saying that language revitalisation will be measured by the number of children who will grow up fluent in their languages. He stressed the urgency around access to supports, resources, and environments where their languages are normalized in their homes, communities, schools, and media.
Following the keynote, the Commissioner joined a panel discussion, “From Sacred Ground to Cyberspace: Living Language in a Changing World”, where he talked about the inseparable link of language, land, and the knowledges they come from.
During the event, representatives from the Commission participated in a Canada-Australia side event, where they engaged in dialogue about current issues, promising practises, and key takeaways. The Commission talked about hosting their first global summit, WAVES 2025, highlighted the positive impacts of building momentum for Indigenous languages, including a strong focus on youth.
PULiiMA was a celebration of language, technology, and art as expressions of living knowledge. A highlight was the evening entertainment, which invited participants to share songs in their languages.
PULiiMA demonstrated that, despite differences in geography, Indigenous Peoples around the world share many of the same aspirations for their languages: to hear them spoken by children, to see them flourish in homes and communities, and to ensure they remain vibrant for future generations. The relationships strengthened, knowledge exchanged, and ideas shared throughout the gathering reaffirmed the importance of international collaboration in advancing Indigenous language revitalization. The Commission left inspired by the innovation, leadership, and commitment of Indigenous language champions from across the globe, and looks forward to continuing these connections in support of a future where Indigenous languages are thriving, visible, and celebrated.
