Most Indigenous languages in Australia are endangered. One fundraising activity is helping keep them alive.

Indigenous languages in Australia are currently under threat.

At the time of colonisation, over 250 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were spoke. However, only 123 languages are still in use today, according to an AIATSIS 2018–19 survey.

And it doesn't stop there. 

Of those langues, most are "highly endangered", while only 12 are relatively strong and being taught to children. 

Now, one fundraising activity is helping promote First Nations languages, by funding resources for kids in remote communities and encouraging students to learn a First Nations language.

Developed by five-time ARIA award-winner, Josh Pyke, Busking for Change sees students learn to sing, play an instrument or dance to a song, and seek donations from family and friends.

This year, the Busking For Change song is 'Words Make the World Go Around', with students encouraged to learn the entire song or just the chorus in Kriol, the largest First Language spoken in Australia.

Speaking to Mamamia, Pyke, says learning the song in Kriol gives all children the chance to connect to First Nations language. 

"As Ben Bowen [the CEO of ILF] has brought up, if you ask any kid how to say 'hello' in another language, a lot of them will be able to say it in French, or Italian, Chinese or many other tongues, but if you ask them how to say it in a First Nations language, they will likely be unable to.

"Learning the song in Kriol opens the doors for non-Indigenous kids to start having a relationship with Indigenous languages and educates them in the fact that most Indigenous kids speak five or six languages before they speak English. It’s something every Australian should be aware of."

Students from SCEGGS Darlinghurst taking part in Busking For Change. Image: Supplied.

The money raised supports the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), which helps kids in remote communities access and create books in languages they speak at home. 

"Representation is incredibly important," said Pyke, who is also an ILF Ambassador. 

"As a white Australian, I know I have, at times, not taken that concept as seriously as I should. Seeing yourself in stories and images, seeing yourself reflected in art and literature is the best way to engage kids in remote communities. They want to read and tell stories that relate to their own lives, and that’s why the work the ILF do is so important."

Image: Wayne Quilliam.

It's a particularly timely initiative considering 2023 is the second year of UNESCO’s Decade of Indigenous Languages, which aims to ensure "Indigenous peoples’ right to preserve, revitalise and promote their languages". 

In Australia, Pyke doesn't believe enough is being done to support First Nations languages and prevent them from continuing to go endangered. 

It's why he's excited to see the program grow this year and in the future. 

"As Busking For Change grows over the next 10 years, we will conceivably have ten songs in ten indigenous languages out there in the world written by our amazing ambassadors and kids in Indigenous communities."

Last year, Busking For Change raised over $16,000 from just five schools who took part. This year, they aim to get 100 schools involved, and raise $100,000 for the ILF.

As well as the fundraising activity, Pyke said he would like to see schools around the country teach Indigenous languages. 

"It would be amazing if every school taught the kids a few simple words from the language group the school is situated on. Even that small gesture helps connect kids to the history of the land they’re on".

Registrations for Busking For Change are now open. You can find out more here.

Feature Image: Joseph Mayers.

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