River of Language soundscape exhibition celebrating Victoria’s 44 Aboriginal languages is currently showing at Melbourne Museum.
The exhibition is co-curated by Dr Vicki Couzens, an academic, prominent artist and Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong woman from the Western Districts of Victoria.
Launched in the sidelines of NAIDOC week; River of Language also marks UNESCO’s International Year of Indigenous Languages as well as the 25th Anniversary of the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages (VACL).
Designed as an immersive mixed media experience River of Language explores language as culture, knowledge and empowerment.
In our conversation in the sidelines of the launch, Dr Couzens explained the significance of this installation both nationally and internationally. She revealed that language is now considered a key component of identity, and as such has to be preserved and protected.
“We are losing a language every two weeks. And all our Indigenous languages are endangered. It is critical for us to reclaim and revitalize our language,” Dr Couzens said.
In Australia, language is one of the most important items in Indigenous rights claims playing a crucial in the healing process and empowerment.
“We want languages for all our mobs; we spent decades fighting for rights, getting jobs, education and housing; but everybody wants their language. They want it back for that empowerment,” Dr Couzens said in our conversation in the sidelines of the launch.
“It is very healing for people when they reconnect with language and cultural practices and knowledge. I can’t be more passionate. It is a passion that drives me.”
River of Language challenges the audience to observe cultural protocols on their approach and entry to the exhibition. Met by spears and shields, visitors are asked: What is your purpose here? What do you know of our First Peoples Languages? Why is language so important?
