Jillian Bowie brings more than two decades of experience to her new role at the Torres Strait Traditional Languages Association. Photo: Supplied.
A passionate advocate for keeping culture alive through linguistics is the new face of the Torres Strait Traditional Languages Association (TSTLA).
Jillian Bowie has been appointed the chief executive officer of the recently established TSTLA, which is a community-led organisation dedicated to promoting, maintaining and protecting Torres Strait traditional languages across Zenadth Kes.
As part of her role, Ms Bowie will support community-driven language revitalisation initiatives, strengthen partnerships across government and non-government sectors, and build long-term sustainability for Torres Strait traditional languages.
“What an honour it is for me to be at the service of our valued knowledge keepers, language educators, linguists and language speakers. Without them, we have nothing to pass on,” Ms Bowie said.
“This is not only a professional move for me, but one that I am deeply passionate about.
“As a language learner myself, I understand the urgency our people face to strengthen our traditional languages at this critical time by raising up a nation of strong, fluent speakers and educators. Otherwise, it will be lost in the next generation.”
A Merlam and Erublam woman, former First Languages Australia Senior Program Officer for the First Nations Languages Education Program, published author, businesswoman, and former board member at the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, she brings more than two decades of experience in Indigenous language revitalisation, governance, literacy and community-led cultural development to the role.
“We were looking for someone who understands language from the ground up; someone from community with lived experience, as well as from policy and systems,” TSTLA Chairperson Cygnet Repu said.
“Ms Bowie’s background with First Languages Australia and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation gives us great confidence as we begin this important work together.”
While Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has supported the development of the association since its inception, it will operate as a separate entity under Ms Bowie’s stewardship.
TSRA Chairperson George Nona said the appointment marked a significant milestone for language sustainability in the region.
“Our language holds our knowledge, our identity and our cultural continuity,” Mr Nona said.
“Jillian brings deep professional expertise and a strong cultural foundation to this role.
“TSRA looks forward to working closely with the Association under her leadership to strengthen and safeguard our languages for future generations.”
