Brenda Mitchell has been a language educator for three years.
Having taught at Wilcannia Central School, the Paakantji woman says she occasionally gets a pleasant surprise from old students.
"The kids still recognise me, and they say 'Ngayi!', which is 'hello' in our langauge."
Similarly enthusiastic parents in and around Broken Hill have told her that their kids are speaking language around the house.
Mitchell says the enthusiasm students have for their own language and culture is obvious.
"They look forward to it... some of the kids in our Sunraysia area will turn up especially on the days that language is being taught."
The benefits for have long been understood, and now a government revamp of the state's Aboriginal languages syllabus has placed an unprecedented emphasis on the subject.
Paakantji woman Brenda Mitchell has seen first hand the positive benefits of teaching her language to young students.
New syllabus to encourage engagement with community
In what has been dubbed the biggest redevelopment of the subject for 20 years, students from Kindergarten to Year 10 will not only study language, but also deepen their knowledge of the local culture as well.
According to a government statement, the syllabus includes guidance on "involving Aboriginal communities and knowledge holders" when teaching the course.
The syllabus will also be offered in two streams: one for first-time learners, and tailored classes for Indigenous kids already speaking their language at home. It marks the first time such an approach has been adopted.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said Aboriginal students have a right to learn their own language in school.
“Creating more opportunities for Aboriginal students to communicate in an Aboriginal language not only strengthens their connections to country, culture and their identity but it promotes the importance of language revitalisation and the continuation of learning,” Mr Franklin said.
“Empowering young Aboriginal people to maintain a strong sense of identity, belonging and culture and learn more about Aboriginal languages is also hugely beneficial to their overall educational and social outcomes.”
'Amazing' opportunity to teach culture
The program is the result of "extensive" consultation with Aboriginal educators.
President of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) Catherine Trindall said the syllabus revamp supports the state's Aboriginal Languages Act, which encourages first languages.
“As President, I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to learn the first languages of Australia and to engage with and form positive working relationships with our local and regional AECGs," the Gomeroi woman said.
Brenda Mitchell said the syllabus overhaul was an "amazing" opportunity to encourage greater knowledge of Aboriginal culture.
"It's 200 years late, but it's a great thing, because when I went to school, I learnt that Truganini was the last surviving Aboriginal person.
"It's important that Australia recognise there was a history here before colonisation... We can teach a cultural perspective through our schools, and have that understanding."
