Our methods used to revive, teach and celebrate Aboriginal Languages in NSW public schools, through the implementation of Aboriginal Languages and Culture Nests initiative

Tom Barker is a proud descendant of the Murrawarri and Yorta Yorta people. I grew up in Brewarrina and Lightning Ridge in far west New South Wales, where I was fortunate enough to learn culture and become an Aboriginal craftsman like my father. The Murrawarri and Ngemba Elders passed their cultural knowledge of Traditional Aboriginal Artefact Making down to my father, Murrawarri Elder Roy Barker senior, who has now passed this cultural knowledge onto his sons. My grandfather Jimmie Barker also had a huge influence ensuring our culture survived through recordings of language and his life story. I am passionate about continuing the legacy passed down from my grandfather and father and am extremely proud to share this ancient Aboriginal tradition with others.

Connie Ah See is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri/Chinese Nation of the Wellington valley NSW formerly Bindjang. Her Nan and Grandfather had a big family of 14. Her mum Brenda is the fifth eldest. Connie’s siblings are Laurel, Tina, Adi and Babe. Connie has a daughter Nicole and four beautiful grandchildren Aniesha, Renea, William and Thomas. Her partner is Michael Donovan a Gumbaynggirr man from Macksville, who is from a strong musical family. Connie’s family kinship consists of the following kinship, Towney, Merritt, Bell, Amatto, Naden, Stanley, West, Kinchela, Newman, Brown, Keed, Reid, Reed, Read, Cohen, Robinson, Solomon, Shaw, Ball and many more. Her education career began in 1986 as a member of the Wellington Local AECG, then as the Regional Rep for Western 1 Regional AECG and as a member for the Executive Committee of the NSW AECG Inc. In 1988 Connie began studies at the University of Western Sydney in the Aboriginal Rural Education Program (AREP). Graduating in 1992 from this, her first appointment was as a primary teacher in her hometown of Wellington as a Year 5 teacher. She has over 30 years’ experience working in various levels of the NSW Department of Education, TAFE NSW and now with the NSW AECG Inc, for Aboriginal Education, with extensive knowledge and skills in the areas of Aboriginal Languages and Aboriginal Studies.

Temicka Lawson, from Broken Hill, will involve the history of Paakantji people and language, learning some basics of the language then playing a game of kahoot on participant's mobiles as a fun interactive way to test their knowledge of Paakantji Language/ Nation.