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Yuchi Language Experts Inspire Central Australian Language Revival at Batchelor Institute
Home Yuchi Language Experts Inspire Central Australian Language Revival at Batchelor Institute 
27 March 2025
4 minute read

On 17 March 2025, Batchelor Institute’s Pertame School and Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics (CALL) welcomed language revival experts from Oklahoma’s Yuchi Immersion School to the Desert Peoples Centre Campus in Alice Springs. This special event, held from 4:00 to 6:30 PM ACST, brought First Nations communities together for an afternoon of songs, dances, a panel discussion, and a BBQ—all aimed at sparking fresh ideas for Indigenous language revitalisation in Central Australia. 

A Milestone in Language Preservation

Supported by a grant from the Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, the event showcased the remarkable story of the Yuchi language. For nearly a century, Yuchi hovered on the edge of extinction. That changed with the Yuchi Immersion School in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where people aged 3 months to over 80 now immerse themselves in “breath-to-breath” learning. Today, Yuchi families are raising children who speak it as their first language—a breakthrough not seen in almost 100 years.

This powerful model resonates deeply with efforts here in the Northern Territory, particularly for endangered languages like Pertame, an Arrernte dialect. At Batchelor Institute, our Pertame School is working tirelessly to revitalise this language through parent educator training—learn more at pertameschool.org. 

Sharing Knowledge, Igniting Change

Vanessa Farrelly, Pertame Language Coordinator at CALL, captured the event’s essence: “This was about sharing inspiration and practical know-how. The Yuchi story shows what’s possible.” By hosting this rare exchange, Batchelor Institute aims to fuel language revitalisation efforts across the NT, connecting global Indigenous success stories with local action.

Attendees left with more than just a full stomach from the BBQ—they gained actionable insights into keeping Central Australian languages alive and thriving. 

Why Indigenous Language Revitalisation Matters

Events like this highlight the urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages, which carry culture, identity, and history. The Yuchi Immersion School’s success offers a blueprint for communities here, proving that with dedication, languages on the brink can roar back to life. 

Get Involved

Missed the event? You can still connect with us! For more details or to explore how Batchelor Institute is leading Indigenous education and language preservation, contact Vanessa Farrelly, Pertame Language Coordinator, at Vanessa.Farrelly@batchelor.edu.au