At 65, great-grandmother learns language stolen from schools
Julie Craig, 65, is learning Gumbaynggirr language at Kulai Preschool, where her great-granddaughter also studies.
Julie Craig attended Kulai Preschool as a child and grew up speaking no Gumbaynggirr because her grandparents died young and her parents did not speak it. Before 1972, speaking Indigenous languages was banned in Australian schools.
Now Craig is learning at the same preschool where her great-granddaughter Enalanii Greenup is thriving. "I learn more from the preschool than what I did in my lifetime," Craig said.
Her granddaughter now sings songs in language that Craig sings back. Kulai, founded in 1961, formally introduced language programs in 2022.
Research found children from Kulai arrive at Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School as confident speakers with strong cultural identity. They outpace peers from mainstream schools.
- 65
- Craig's current age
- 2022
- When language programs began at Kulai
- 1972
- School language bans ended
- 1961
- Kulai Preschool established
Why it mattersLanguage revival repairs the damage colonial policies did. It builds stronger cultural identity and belonging for the next generation.
AustraliaIndigenous preschools and schools across NSW and Australia are rebuilding languages suppressed for generations, improving children's sense of identity and academic outcomes.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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