Yuuingan Dhilla Yari - 2026 Indigenous Languages Forum

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A forum with the theme Create to Connect: First Languages in Action, highlighting the many ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are being strengthened, shared and celebrated through community, creativity, education and cultural practice. Bringing together language practitioners, creatives, educators, researchers, organisations and community members, the one-day forum explored how first languages are being activated through community initiatives, education, digital storytelling, contemporary media and public programs.

“Singing in language - you can feel it in your bones and body. Even if you don’t understand the language you still do understand.”

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Common Ground released Dreamy, their third series of mindful audio stories, with a focus on language. A beautiful collection that celebrate language with Kaleesha Morris (Gumbaynggirr language), Trinity Clarke (Kuku Yalanji Country), Stacie Piper (Woiwurrung language from Wurundjeri Country), and Jam-Graham Blair and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (palawa kani of Lutruwita/Tasmania). 

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Recently at the Yuuingan Dhilla Yari: 2026 Indigenous Languages Forum, we had the honour of hearing from Common Ground’s CEO Gema Pol and Comms Director Vanessa Morris.

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“Language is connected to Country”

“Learn the words, learn the language systems”

“Language is a portal of how our old people lived”

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During the keynote speech, they acknowledged that Nations are in different stages of language reclamation, the power of language reclamation and the deep connection that language has to Country and culture. The films and content are owned by the filmmakers and community, and some have entered their work into film festivals and shared community screenings.

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“Truthelling is sometimes uncomfortable but we all must take part in it to understand these shared history, to learn, share and hold truth, we hold strong.”

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Common Ground are a First Nations run and led team who create opportunities for First Nations communities to amplify, back and share their voices and stories. They provide a powerful opportunity for community and creatives to showcase their self-determination, skills development and cultural knowledge sharing through mindful audio stories. Each series also are accompanied with learning kits for educators, parents/carers, healthcare professionals and community service providers.

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“Still here, always evolving! Resist frozen in the past. This was done on purpose for colonisation and the ongoing colonial project. Common Ground is asserting presence, taking up space, counter story telling, the anti-dote.”

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Share Common Ground’s work

Explore Common Ground’s Stories and Learning Kits - Dreamy Language Edition

Record your own family’s yarns, Country, stories - even on your phone.

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Our Education Officer, Emily, attended the Yuuingan Dhilla Yari on Tuesday 9 June in Meanjin/Brisbane at the State Library of Queensland on the Country of the Jagera (Yuggera) people and the Turrbal people. More information on Yuuingan Dhilla Yari.