
Indigenous Literacy Day is a celebration of stories, cultures and languages.
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said preserving and promoting Indigenous languages was fundamental to the identify, wellbeing and culture of First Nations people across the world.
“Our region is home to two of the world’s oldest continuing cultures in Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal peoples, our languages are part of who we are,” Mr Stephen said.
“Language shapes our identity, carries our culture and connects our past, present and future from our ancestors through us, to the next generations.
“In the Torres Strait, we are blessed to share language, stories and knowledge not only with words, but also song, dance and music,” he said.
As part of their environmental conservation, TSRA Rangers work with communities across the Torres Strait to preserve language, culture and traditional ecological knowledge.
The TSRA Ranger Dance Team – a dedicated group of rangers from across the region – also promote culture and tradition through arts and performance. They often share stories of the environment passed down the generations through movement and voice in their songs and dances.
To continue to support and promote Torres Strait culture, rangers from across the region have been:
- practicing traditional dances and songs
- making instruments and costumes
- creating original songs in language.
The TSRA Ranger Dance Team will perform on Waiben (Thursday Island) next week to celebrate and keep Ailan culture and languages strong.
Tuesday 13 September:
9.30am at Green Hill in partnership with Peddells
Wednesday 14 September:
10.30am infront of Home and Community Care Services (HACC)
11.30am community performance in Anzac Park – everyone is welcome!
Learn more about the TSRA at www.tsra.gov.au or follow us on Facebook.
In 2022, Indigenous Literacy Day was celebrated on 7 September.