A Scholarship For Ngaanyatjarra Speaking Taneil?

Question: What level of cultural and financial support is there out there for non Indigenous children who can speak an Aboriginal language to develop a possible career path in this area?

Bearing in mind that the annual cost for a youngster to attend boarding school is close to $40,000, would Government, an Aboriginal organisation applying for a grant, or the private sector step up?

About Taneil

Taneil Sutton is a young white girl who lived and grew up with Aborigines in the Western Desert region around the WA, SA and NT border for eight years.

Taneil is now in year eight at St Hilda’s School in Mosman Park, Perth. Her parents are currently working with the Mowanjum community in Derby.

As a result of only playing with the local children, during her formative years, Taneil is now able to speak fluent Ngaanyatjarra.

Taneil’s father Steve Austin is interested in his daughter using her ability to speak Ngaanyatjarra to attend school and go on to Tertiary studies if she majors in a subject area that involves Indigenous studies and linguistics.

A community member with a deep concern for preserving Indigenous culture is keen to find out if there might be someone working on Indigenous languages – possible at UWA – who might be able to assist in getting a scholarship for Taneil.

Important Considerations

• Helping Taneil work towards using her language skills where her ability to speak Ngaanytjarra would not be lost
• Sorting out school subjects
• Taneil might choose NOT to use her ability to speak Ngaanyatjarra as a career option
• There may be other non Indigenous kids with similar local language skills – perhaps FACHSIA might fund these students, in the interests of preserving Indigenous culture

Any advice would be welcome – please contact editor@pigswillfly.wpengine.com