Out in the west of NSW, one Indigenous language is making a powerful comeback after decades of suppression.
Brenda Anne Mitchell, a Barkindji woman originally from Wilcannia, is playing a vital role in the resurrection of her ancestral tongue.
Mitchell, an Aboriginal Culture and Language Officer for the Department of Education, has studied Barkindji language for years and is now passing that knowledge on.
Her work is part of a larger cultural movement, helping others reconnect with identity, land, and ancestral wisdom through language.
In the classroom and beyond
For the past three years, Mitchell has worked closely with Wilcannia Central School, where she teaches Barkindji to students from preschool through to Year 10.
Her work extends beyond the classroom.
Barkindji words now appear on school noticeboards, signs, and newsletters, subtly reinforcing the language in daily life and supporting cultural pride among students.
Mitchell’s journey to rediscover her ancestral language began against the backdrop of government-enforced language suppression, part of broader assimilation policies.
Growing up, she only knew a few Barkindji phrases — mostly passed down from her grandfather.
Determined to reclaim what was nearly lost, Mitchell taught herself the language using academic texts, 1960s radio recordings, and the knowledge of local Elders.
She studied the Barkindji alphabet, a unique 13-letter phonetic system, distinctly different from English and once confident, began teaching others to help rebuild and spread the Barkindji language.
Local community back the revival with pride
Brenda is not alone in her mission.
Uncle Sunno, a Barkindji Elder and cultural knowledge holder in Wilcannia, says the revival effort is essential for healing and reconnecting with culture.
“Language is our identity. Without our language, our culture will die,” he said.
He remembers being discouraged from speaking his own language as a child.
“We weren’t allowed to speak it when we were young,” he said. “Now to hear kids speaking it again, it brings a feeling that’s hard to describe.”
He believes language must be part of both education and family life.
“It’s not just for school. It’s for home, for land, for our ancestors.”
Alongside his language work, Uncle Sunno also shares Barkindji knowledge through his artwork, using painting to tell stories about culture, Country and connection.
His art has become another way to pass on knowledge to younger generations.
“It needs to be in the home”
Looking ahead, Mitchell is focused on long-term change.
She’s developing culturally appropriate teaching resources, running community workshops, and working closely with families so that children grow up hearing Barkindji in daily life.
“It’s not just about teaching the language at school,” she says. “It’s about it being in the home, parents speaking it to their kids, kids growing up hearing it every day.”
Barkindji goes digital
Rather than shy away from modern technology, Mitchell is embracing it as a tool for cultural survival.
She’s currently developing a language app that features over 500 Barkindji words, along with audio recordings and visual aids.
“We’ve got over 500 words now with audio. That way students can hear the word, they can repeat the word and hear it properly.”
The app will include culturally specific content such as kinship terms, animals, and traditional bush food.
“That’s going to make it a lot easier for our students to access the language, and also for the wider community too,” she adds.
Language brings pride and resilience
Within the classroom, Barkindji stories and teachings are resonating strongly.
Mitchell says her students “are like sponges” and soak up each word with interest and pride.
She recalls sharing a traditional Barkindji story about a falling star, a tale tied to the night sky.
She uses stories to spark discussion and connect Indigenous knowledge with broader educational ideas.
While Wilcannia faces challenges like overcrowded housing and social pressures that can affect school attendance and behaviour, Mitchell sees the language program as a positive force.
It brings pride, consistency, and cultural grounding to young people navigating a complex world.
The Barkindji revival is becoming a family affair.
Mitchell’s brother, Gordon, is also learning and teaching culture in Wilcannia, while her daughter, now living in Menindee, has picked up the language with enthusiasm.
“She knows more than me now,” Mitchell says with a proud chuckle.
For Indigenous people, passing knowledge from parent to child has always been the foundation of cultural survival.
For Mitchell, that legacy is growing stronger.
Still learning, still healing
For many Barkindji people, learning the language is also about healing – a way to recover what was taken and fill the gaps left by stolen generations, government policies, and loss of intergenerational knowledge.
This journey of rebuilding in the Barkindji community is not without its challenges.
Mitchell says: “We’re still learning.
“There’s people that want to speak it but they’re too ashamed or they don’t want to get it wrong.”
Uncle Sunno adds: “You don’t have to speak it perfect. You just have to start. That’s how we bring it back.”
Mitchell’s mission is clear, and it starts with just one Barkindji word a day.
