In the not-too-distant past, reclaiming the Kaurna language was widely considered impossible. When reclamation efforts began in 1989, the Adelaide Plains’ Indigenous people had not heard their sleeping native tongue for over a century.

But today, Kaurna ‘welcomes to country’ are routine at major Adelaide events. Kaurna place names are common and well recognised. Increasing numbers of Kaurna children are growing up with the language in their homes. And more and more schools are interested in teaching Kaurna. The cultural impact has been profound, and the process—a lasting collaboration between the Kaurna community and University of Adelaide researchers—has led Indigenous-language reclamation in Australia.

In this special Research Tuesday presentation leading up to Reconciliation Week, and marking the International Year of Indigenous Languages, you’ll learn how it is being done.