Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre (GALC) was established in 2016 under the auspice of the National Trust and is supported by the Federal Department of Communications and the Arts through the Indigenous Language and Arts program. GALC works toward the preservation of Aboriginal languages in the Eastern Goldfields; a region with 16 Aboriginal languages, several having more than one dialect.
The first group of interpreters for GALC’s Interpreting and Translating Service have undertaken training with the National Accreditation Authority for Translator and Interpreters (NAATI) as part of the work of the Centre. Eight women from communities across the Goldfields who speak Ngaanyatjarra, Wongatha, Pitjantjarar and Tjupan took part in the course which focused on ethical and inter-cultural competency and are now working towards formal accreditation as interpreters.
Everyone has the right to be understood and the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre’s work in developing an interpreter and translating service will help reduce Aboriginal disadvantage in the health, social and justice system.
The training was provided free to the Centre by NAATI indigenous interpreter’s project office Kathleen Oien.
The importance of the Centre was recently acknowledged in the WA State Parliament by the Hon. David Templeman MLA , the Minister for Heritage. Read the full acknowledgement in Hansard here.
