Scholarship assists researcher gain exposure at International Indigenous Languages Symposium
7 May 2010
The recipient of an inaugural research scholarship will use the prize to gain international exposure on her research by attending an International Indigenous Languages Symposium in the United States next month.
Vicki Couzens, a Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara woman from South West Victoria, was presented the Dr R Marika Conference Support Scholarship at a special ceremony at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra this morning.
Named in honour of the late Dr R. Marika, the scholarship is co-funded by AIATSIS and Reconciliation Australia, two organisations Dr Marika was closely associated with, and is aimed at assisting a researcher to gain international exposure for their research—by supporting them to attend a major international conference held overseas.
In presenting the inaugural scholarship to Ms Couzens, AIATSIS Chairperson and Reconciliation Australia Co Chair Professor Mick Dodson AM paid tribute to Dr Marika who passed away in May 2008.
“Dr Marika was one of Australia's most prominent and admired traditional Aboriginal leaders and was widely known and well-respected for her passionate advocacy for Yolngu languages, and the importance of maintaining them and using them in schools,” Professor Dodson said.
As an advocate for language maintenance and preservation, Vicki will use the scholarship to attend the 17th Annual Stabilising Indigenous Languages Symposium from June 25-26, at the University of Oregon in the United States.
“The Symposium brings together American Indian and other Indigenous language educators and activists to share ideas and experiences on how to teach effectively American Indian and other Indigenous languages in and out of the classroom,” she said.
“It also provides a forum for exchange of scholarly research on teaching American Indian and other Indigenous languages and investigates best practices to promote, preserve, and protect Indigenous languages.”
“I am honoured and humble to be the awarded this Scholarship and she was an inspiring role model and brilliant advocate for Indigenous languages and I hope that I can do justice to her legacy,” she added.
Vicki, who works at the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages, is an artist and language ‘activist’ and has completed an MA (Fine Arts) and a Certificate 3 in Aboriginal Languages and has commenced a PhD this year at RMIT.
She established the South West Aboriginal Languages Committee, which covers nine languages in the region, and is a member of the Committee of Management for the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages.
Vicki also teaches language classes, develops language resources and uses art as a form of language revival and cultural practice.
The Dr R Marika Conference Support Scholarship provides for up to $4000 towards conference attendance, and is awarded on merit to an individual scholar. Applicants must be Indigenous post graduate students, university staff, or researchers with equivalent credentials.
Applications for the 2011 Scholarship will open later this year.
Click here for a copy of this media release
Further Contact:
John Paul Janke,
Director, Executive and Communications
AIATSIS
02 6246 1123 or 0408 600 867
Kylie Thompson
Public Affairs Manager
Reconciliation Australia
Ph: +61 2 6272 2611 Mbl: +61 418 633 277
