February 13, 2019
TRACA PRESS STATEMENT
Tasmanian Aboriginal Languages

TRACA (Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Communities Alliance) members have considered Michael Mansell and ALCT’s offering of the reconstructed language – palawa kani. Mr Mansell has offered to “share our language with a Tasmania society that respects us and our language”.

As TRACA Co-chairs we decline the offer. Palawa kani is a quasi language. There never was one Aboriginal language. As custodians we are reviving our own languages in our own regions.

Rodney Dillon said: “True self determination is about local people in local areas speaking the language of that area”.

TRACA aspires to honouring the ancestors by reviving the many languages that were spoken in Tasmania.

Patsy Cameron Rodney Dillon
Co-Chairs TRACA