Junyirri: A framework for planning community language projects
In 2015, First Languages Australia developed Junyirri for the Indigenous Languages Support Program, administered by the Department of Communications and the Arts. The aim was to assist the establishment and ongoing development of community language programs. Input from language centres around the country was essential to ensure that this framework is useful in all language contexts.
Junyirri draws on the shared experience of many different languages projects and programs within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
The framework is intended to guide people to think about their current language situation, their aspirations for the use of language in their community, what assets their community has available, and the types of language programs that might be suitable for their situation.
Junyirri can help communities to:
assess their current language situation
define their language goals
identify and list the assets they have to help them reach their goals
consider whether training will help reach these goals
choose a language project based on the available community assets
make an assessment of the likely outcomes of the chosen project type
define where project outcomes fit in relation to the broader goals
write key performance indicators for a funding submission, based on a chosen project.
Download Junyirri: A framework for planning community language projects (7.6Mb)
Download the poster
Resources for Junyirri workshops
Additional resources have been developed to support community facilitators to deliver Junyirri language planning workshops in their communities.
Videos
This train-the-trainer style professional development webinar walks through step by step instructions for community members to deliver their own language planning workshop using the Junyirri framework. You can download the slides with presenters notes below to use in your workshop delivery.
Downloadable resources
Junyirri Workshop- Powerpoint with presenters notes- This powerpoint slide deck can be used to deliver a Junyirri workshop in your community. You can edit the slides and presenters’ notes to suit your situation.
A4 Project Plan Template- this template can be used to document your final plan following a workshop.
Junyirri Worksheet- this worksheet can be used during the delivery of a language planning workshop. Use this worksheet to document the conversations and decisions made during the workshop.
Junyirri Evaluation Tracking Tool- this tool can be used to help you measure the impact of your project. It can be completed at the beginning and at the end of the project, prompting you to consider how your community assets have changed or been impacted by your project. Evaluating your project in this way can:
help you to consider how effective your project was;
help you identify areas you want to focus on next;
report about your project to community and funders;
track your progress towards your long-term language plan.
The title Junyirri was suggested by Gary Williams, from the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative. Junyirri has a similar meaning to ‘talking together’, ‘conversing’ or ‘in conversation’ in the Gumbaynggirr language. It is pronounced ‘jun-yirri’, with the ‘u’ as in ‘put’, ‘I’ as in ‘bit’, and the emphasis on the first syllable.
Artwork
Kuukuti mukana illka
by Joanne Butcher (Umpila)
Acrylic on Canvas, 2012
Copyright Joanne Butcher
Licensed by Puuya Kuntha:Lockhart River Arts Indigenous Corporation, 2015