Talking Language with Ernie Dingo

Ernie visits an old friend in Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem Land. Bunduk discusses the importance oral language has on the creation and maintenance of local histories, her art, and ultimately Yolngu identity.

Ernie travels to the Coorong in South Australia to meet Ngarrindjeri Elder, Tom Trevorrow. He experiences first-hand the impact that colonisation and environmental change have on language.

Ernie meets Vicki Couzens, descendant of the Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong clans. Vicki is dedicated to language revival and discusses the importance that museums and archival material play in reinvigorating language and culture for her community.

Ernie travels north east of Alice Springs to Harts Range in the Northern Territory tomeet MK Turner. For Ernie, the opportunity to be with MK provides a rare opportunity to hear, see, feel and understand the language of her country.

Ernie travels to Roebourne community to meet Pansey Cheedy, one of over 300 Yinjibarndi speakers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. He also visits the local radio station and archiving project to learn how language is preserved in Roebourne.

Ernie travels west of Katherine in the Northern Territory to visit Wardaman Elder, Bill Harney. 80 to 100 people speak and understand the Wardaman language and Bill is the last gully initiated Lawman of his country.