Finding a “little language family”
Aunty Jacqueline Kina at UQ's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sashing Ceremony.
That will change next week when she crosses the stage at The University of Queensland’s mid-year graduation among the inaugural class of UQ’s Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalisation.
The Traditional Owner and Elder of Gungulu, Kabi Kabi, Jinabura and Wakka Wakka and K'gari Nations said she didn’t hesitate to put her hand up for the first language revitalisation program in Australia.
“It’s my first time at university and UQ is a dream school,” Aunty Jacqueline said.
“This qualification opens doors for me, for my students and for my community.
“It is something I can pass on. It’s all part of the legacy that I am leaving.”
Aunty Jacqueline Kina with her family at UQ's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sashing Ceremony.
Aunty Jacqueline Kina being presented her sash by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC.
Aunty Jacqueline with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC.
Aunty Jacqueline Kina with course lecturer and Industry Fellow (Indigenous Languages) Desmond Crump.
Aunty Jacqueline Kina.
Already working as a community education councillor in Caboolture and teaching Kabi Kabi language in classrooms, Aunty Jacqueline wanted to learn how to bring those practices into modern educational settings.
“I was teaching the bush way, through stories, but I wanted to know how to teach in the academic way,” she said.
The Graduate Certificate is designed by Indigenous language experts to empower First Nations people to reclaim and share their languages by learning how to develop resources and apply research.
Course lecturer and Industry Fellow (Indigenous Languages) Desmond Crump said the inaugural cohort was made up of 13 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from 11 language groups, stretching from the Torres Strait to northern New South Wales.
“Among them was a lawyer, language professionals and Elders like Aunty Jacqueline, all united by a shared goal of keeping their languages alive,” Mr Crump said.
“This wasn’t a typical university course as each student brought deep cultural and linguistic knowledge into the classroom.
“It’s not about teaching a single language - it’s about giving people the skills to protect and grow their own.”
The Graduate Certificate is part of a larger national effort to support the resurgence of First Nations languages and empower the leaders behind that change.
Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement) Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert, GCILR graduates Jacqueline Kina, Donell Hope, Emily Montgomery with Dr Samantha Disbray and Sofia Kudlak.
For Aunty Jacqueline that vision is already taking shape.
“Since the course, I’ve learnt how to meet my students halfway with technology and how to work with them in a new way, which helps me help them,” she said.
“I’m the only Elder out here in my area that teachers Kabi Kabi language in the schools. That’s a lot of pressure and can be very lonely.”
“But I’m not alone anymore. I’ve got my little language family now.”
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