Ripples of Reclamation - Honouring our past to strengthen our future
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Language Forum
2–3 June 2025
Queensland Indigenous Advisory Committee
Language
Kajal-kajal Wirepi-ma’gu
Language Description
The event has been named by Gaja Kerry Charlton, Yagara traditional owner.
Kajal is a Yagara word that describes movement, such as leaves rippling in the breeze and the shape and movement of waves at sea.
Wirrepi-ma-gu means “for the purpose of remembering to bring back.”
Overview
QILAC is hosting a dynamic two-day, community-focused language forum in Brisbane on 2–3 June 2025, aimed at fostering the growth and professional development of Queensland’s Language Network.
This forum will bring together participants from across the state, providing valuable opportunities to share experiences and gain insights into effective strategies for promoting language use within communities.
The event will feature a well-rounded program of informative presentations and engaging, hands-on workshops.
In addition to enhancing individual and community language skills, the forum will serve as a platform for the language network to contribute to the creation of a comprehensive Queensland Language Framework and move closer to establishing a State Peak Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages in Queensland.
When
Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd June 2025
Where
Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre
Cnr Merivale St and Glenelg St, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Registration
Registration is now open!
Free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
To register your attendance at the forum, please complete this form:
Non-Indigenous attendees
If you are a non-Indigenous person wanting to attend, please reach out to the project team via email at:
projects@qilac.com.au for more information.
Sponsorship
QILAC has limited funds to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to attend the forum.
To nominate for one of these limited sponsorship positions, please complete the expression of interest (EoI) form:
Applications close Friday 9th May 2025.
Eligibility criteria include:
Be an Indigenous person located in Queensland.
Be currently involved in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language activities (paid or unpaid).
Be available between 1st and 4th June 2025 to travel to Brisbane and attend the forum.
For further information, please contact Kira via email at:
Proudly supported by Queensland Rail as a major sponsor of this event.
Call for Proposals!
QILAC is calling for proposals for presentations, workshops, or to join a panel on a specific topic:
We encourage proposals that focus on:
Embedding language in education, health, media, technology, and tourism;
Community language activities;
Skills development;
Language promotion;
Innovative ways to revive languages.
Presentation Types Sought
PRESENTATION
20 minutes for delivery, plus 10 minutes for questions.
WORKSHOP
Focused on developing skills and building the capacity of young people.
Preferred timeframes between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
If you require additional time, please indicate this on the EOI form — we will try our best to accommodate longer sessions.
PANEL
Each panel will focus on a specific topic and will be led by a facilitator.
Panel members will each have an opportunity to contribute to the conversation, with ample time for questions and discussions from the audience.