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LANGUAGE OF THE LAND – DOCUMENTARY Language of the Land speaks to the power of language. lutruwita was colonised and renamed Tasmania in the 1800s and original names, spoken for thousands of years, were changed. In this film, we travel on country with lutruwita’s First People as they talk about the resonance language creates, the power of speaking names on country and the connection it builds between people, land and time.

LANGUAGE OF THE LAND

LANGUAGE OF THE LAND – DOCUMENTARY 9:24 minutes

Directors/Producers: Troy Melville and Jillian Mundy

Synopsis

Language of the Land speaks to the power of language. lutruwita was colonised and renamed Tasmania in the 1800s and original names, spoken for thousands of years, were changed. In this film, we travel on country with lutruwita’s First People as they talk about the resonance language creates, the power of speaking names on country and the connection it builds between people, land and time.

Caution

Contains some coarse language.

Themes

  • The effects of colonisation on language and place names
  • How the British legal concept of Terra Nullias affected Aboriginal people
  • Value and issues around Dual naming
  • Respect and care for First Nations people and country
  • History of the Tasmanian aboriginal peoples reclaiming their language

Discussion questions

  • Why might non-aboriginal place names be upsetting to some Aboriginal people?
  • How does dual naming change community ideas of country and place?
  • Do you know of any examples of dual place naming where you live?
  • How have the Tasmanian Aborigines brought their language back to life?

Alice Webb

Alice Webb is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and social justice, bringing over 18 years of leadership experience to her role as CEO of A Fairer World. With a background in education, disability advocacy, and organisational leadership, Alice is dedicated to empowering individuals and organisations to create meaningful change. She holds a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Business Administration, equipping her with both the strategic insight and educational expertise to drive impactful change. Alice is a skilled facilitator in unconscious bias training, diversity and inclusion programs, and workplace cultural change initiatives. Under her leadership, A Fairer World delivers innovative programs like the Hobart Human Library, where real-life storytellers share lived experiences of bias and discrimination to foster empathy and challenge assumptions. Committed to creating inclusive spaces, Alice believes that awareness leads to action and that education is the key to breaking down barriers. Her engaging training style, combined with real-world case studies and interactive discussions, makes her an inspiring leader in the fight for a fairer, more equitable society.