Celebrating Indigenous Perspectives

Reporter

NITV Radio has released, Ngiyang, a new podcast that tells the story of how the Wiradyuri language is being reclaimed by the people of central NSW.

A new podcast from SBS explores First Nations’ voices. Image supplied.

Continuing NITV Radio’s proud tradition of championing First Nations stories, knowledges, cultures and voices, Ngiyang gives multicultural and multilingual audiences a glimpse into the journey of reclaiming and reviving the Wiradyuri language as well as the triumphs of teaching and learning Wiradyuri.

As part of SBS’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), NITV Radio will expand content in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and promote language growth through its podcasts.

Hosted by NITV Radio Executive Producer, Lowanna Grant, the new podcast features Wiradyuri language pioneer, Uncle Stan Grant Senior, along with language teachers and learners, speaking their language and how this has enriched their lives as Wiradyuri people.

Lowanna Grant host of Ngiyang. Image supplied.

An insightful and personal look into the importance of First Nations languages, Uncle Stan Grant Senior tells how his grandfather Wilfred Johnson taught him Wiradyuri language as a child and instructed him to keep the language alive.

Lowanna Grant Uncle Stan Grant Senior’s granddaughter and also studied Wiradyuri language herself: “I’m thrilled to share the stories in Ngiyang with all Australians because it records a part of our history — the reclamation and revival of Wiradjuri language.

“Ngiyang celebrates what our elders have achieved and what is being done to secure language and culture for the next generation of Wiradyuri people,” she says.

The experiences of guests are told as first-person stories about how Wiradyuri language is being revitalised, with the Wiradyuri people being empowered through reclaiming their language.

Each guest on the podcast shares how they learned the language, including members of Uncle Stan Grant Senior’s family who were instrumental to its restoration and the development of the first Wiradyuri language dictionary.

Teachers, students and artists share their favourite word or phrase in Wiradyuri, what it means to speak the language and how it has enriched their lives as Wiradyuri people, and why passing on this knowledge is so important.

Ngiyang is available on the SBS Audio App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, LiSTNR and wherever you stream podcasts.

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