Yaama (hello) and welcome to the launch of NSW Aboriginal Languages Week on Kamilaroi Country. Today we celebrate Gamilaraay language and Kamilaroi Country, with a week shaped and led by community.
Gamilaraay sits within a language family shared with Yuwaalaraay and Yuwaalayaay. The name Gamilaraay itself comes from gamil (“no”) plus the suffix ‑araay (“with, having”)-literally “having ‘no’,” a traditional way languages are named across this region. Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay Country stretches across north‑west NSW and into southern Queensland; maps in community teaching resources show the area and nearby languages.
Like many First Nations languages, Gamilaraay was heavily impacted by colonisation, but recent decades have seen a strong resurgence. Community‑led work-supported by Elders, teachers and linguists-has rebuilt everyday language use, developed courses in schools, TAFE and universities, and produced practical resources for learners. A watershed was the Gamilaraay Yuwaalaraay Yuwaalayaay Dictionary (2003), which underpins much of today’s teaching, followed by digital resources such as Gayarragi, Winangali, launched in 2009 with audio, stories and games drawn from traditional speakers.
Why a week?
Because language revival is about more than words. It’s about identity, self‑determination and continuity-communities taking control of their language futures while keeping links to traditional grammar and ways of speaking. Throughout the week you’ll hear simple everyday phrases-Yaama (hello), Yaluu (see you), gaba (good)-shared in workshops and social posts. These are taught early to build confidence and invite everyone into respectful language use.
As we launch, we acknowledge the custodians who carry Gamilaraay forward, and we invite you to walk with us: come to a class, listen to songs, try a greeting, learn a place name. Each action strengthens language, Country and community.
Yaluu-see you through the week.
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