Conference Papers
Inaugural National Indigenous Interpreting Meeting: Getting the Conversation Started
Session L3.1. Getting the Conversation Started
1. Wendy Rogers, Valma Banks, David Newry and Mathew Taylor: Culture First in Interpreting
Full paper | Audio | Video | Slideshow
The need for interpreting between languages and cultures is obvious, beginning for us with Woollarawarre Bennelong at the time of the first British settlement in Australia.
We will explain how and why KIS began, and examine the crucial need to draw on the cultural expertise of the elders and to work in collaboration with the younger generation when delivering a language and culturally appropriate Interpreting Service. We will show where prior demands of hasty customers or fast paced government demands unravel when traditional cultural protocols are ignored, and also highlight success with awareness and cooperation of generations working together. We will share experiences of the team working with the KIS language and culture reference group, for purposes of training, service delivery and business development. We will show how learning from elders, respecting and working with intricacies of cultural relationships and protocols lays the foundations for successful Interpreting assignments. Two way respect, learning, understanding and moving together into the future with collaboration ensures culture is alive and underpins our operations in the modern day.
Author bio: Wendy Rogers is a highly valued senior Interpreter, with extensive experience in all fields and aspects of interpreting. Wendy plays an integral part of mentoring new KIS interpreters into the profession from a cultural and linguistic perspective. Wendy also encourages and supports new students in the Diploma of Interpreting studies. Wendy’s goal is to see the younger generation join her in the profession of Interpreting. Wendy is a positive role model in the region and sets the benchmark for Indigenous Interpreters in regards to professionalism and reliability.
Author bio: Valma Banks has 7 years of professional experience interpreting and translating with KIS in the fields of justice, health and social services. In 2008, Valma received the Department of Employment Education and training outstanding achievement award in Vet through her Diploma of Interpreting studies at Batchelor Institute of Tertiary Education. Senior interpreter, cultural leader, advisor and teacher. Presenter of Cultural Awareness for medical and justice professionals and also for the Department of Child Protection.. Valma was consulted during the development of the National Diploma of Interpreting. Interpreter mentor and KIS committee member, Valma continues inspiring grass roots people to take pride and preserve their language and culture and to join the interpreting profession. Valma also expresses the right for people to have access to trained and supported Interpreters.
Author bio: David Newry is a highly respected community cultural leader and advisor. He is a senior Interpreter and translator in all fields, particularly in Native Title for the Miriwoong Claim and the Argyle Diamond Mine negotiations. Presenter of Cultural Awareness to all fields in government and community sectors. Language and cultural mentor and role model for the community youth. Language and Culture Coordinator of Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre, established in 1991. Founder of Kimberley Interpreting Service in 2000, after initiating a feasibility study regarding the need for interpreting in the health and justice sectors, which established background for the need to begin the Kimberley Interpreting Service (KIS). Elected cultural representative for the East Kimberley Aboriginal Justice Committee. Continues to be the driving force in all aspects of both the Mirima Language Centre and KIS.
Author bio: Mathew Taylor is a bilingual man of Kukatja descent who joined KIS three months ago and has grown to be a very highly valued team member. After returning from Melbourne where he studied for 18 months, Mathew was looking for culturally appropriate work where he could further his education and knowledge. Mathew endeavors to finish his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology through Deakin University. Kimberley Interpreting Service provides the ideal backdrop for Mathew to live and work with his people throughout the Kimberley region. Whilst working at KIS Mathew has learnt the importance of Indigenous people having access to an Interpreter who speak in their own language and that subsequently interpreting also keeps language and culture stay strong. Mathew’s mother is a trained Interpreter and has instilled the importance of appropriate two way communication since and early age. Mother Eva is from the Kukatja Language group from the Great Sandy Desert (Balgo Hills) and balances her profession of Interpreting with painting and interpreting for elderly people in her community.
2. Annette Kogolo, Mathew Taylor and Deanne Lightfoot: Quality assurance: Wangki Jarr Warrkam Pila Jirrkirl Nguninyn
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Kimberley Interpreting Service is a community based organisation delivering interpreting services representing 26 Kimberley Aboriginal languages. As well as acting as a central booking agency, matching culturally and linguistically appropriate interpreters to assignments, KIS supports interpreters through training, mentoring and professional development; provides training to service providers and corporate clients to raise awareness of the importance of working with interpreters; and represents indigenous interpreters in industry discussions...all on a shoestring budget! The systematic monitoring and evaluation of each Interpreting Assignment ensures our standards of quality service delivery are being met, and also the reputation of the interpreter, the service and the industry are protected. We unravel client feedback and reveal the true issues behind “the interpreter was adding information”, or “the interpreter was impolite and lazy”. We share the procedure, the reasons and the outcomes, explain how accessing feedback from the client, interpreter and the senior interpreting assessor assists with determining where the interpreter requires more mentoring or training and where the customer may need to revisit our guidelines to working with interpreters, be reminded of the role of an interpreter or review the Language Service Policy and understand that effective cross-cultural communication is a shared responsibility: others must cooperate with the interpreter to get a good outcome. These are our standards. We are restrained by budgetary constraints. Human resources are limiting factors in terms of quality assurance and much success is due to our close knit community and grass roots operations. KIS is the brainchild of the community. Every day we are committed to making it happen, in the best possible interests of the customer, the client and the interpreter. The collaboration of generations of interpreters, language and cultural advisers, KIS employees and customers are all key components to effective outcomes.
Author bio: Annette Kogolo. Senior Kimberley Walmajarri woman and traditional owner Annette Puruta Wayawu Kogolo is a NAATI accredited interpreter and KIS Co - Chairperson. Annette completed the interpreting and translation course at Bachelor College in the Northern Territory in 1982 and has continued to provide interpreting in many fields. Her wealth of Kimberley-based experience expands several decades ranging from interpreting for the Aboriginal Land Inquiry (headed by Justice Paul Seaman) in 1983-84 to the Ngurrara Native Title Determination in 2007 (Justice Gilmore and Mr Dan O'Dea, Member National Native Title Tribunal) and the coronial inquest in 2008 into Alcohol Harm and Youth Suicide in Aboriginal People in the Kimberley (Coroner Alistair Hope). She is also a founding member, was Chairperson of the Kimberley Language Resource Centre, and is a councilor for the Derby-West Kimberley Shire. Annette assisted teaching and recruiting Diploma students at Bachelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Central TAFE via KIS, and also teaches Walmajarri land, language and culture to students at Wesley College junior campuses in Melbourne. Annette has also interpreted for health programs (such as for Notre Dame University's Medical School students) and social services more broadly. She is currently dividing her time between work for Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture as a cultural advisor and Walmajarri Cultural Adviser for the Yiriman Project.Annette is a strong advocate for Indigenous Interpreting and responsible for Cultural Awareness programs, highlighting communication through Interpreting.
Author bio: Mathew Taylor is a bilingual man of Kukatja descent who joined KIS three months ago and has grown to be a very highly valued team member. After returning from Melbourne where he studied for 18 months, Mathew was looking for culturally appropriate work where he could further his education and knowledge. Mathew endeavors to finish his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology through Deakin University. Kimberley Interpreting Service provides the ideal backdrop for Mathew to live and work with his people throughout the Kimberley region. Whilst working at KIS Mathew has learnt the importance of Indigenous people having access to an Interpreter who speak in their own language and that subsequently interpreting also keeps language and culture stay strong. Mathew’s mother is a trained Interpreter and has instilled the importance of appropriate two way communication since and early age. Mother Eva is from the Kukatja Language group from the Great Sandy Desert (Balgo Hills) and balances her profession of Interpreting with painting and interpreting for elderly people in her community.
Author bio: Deanne Lightfoot has developed an acquired knowledge and experience in the Industry by working collaboratively with the KIS Committee and reference group of Interpreters, AUSIT, Central TAFE, BIITE, WAITI, Batchelor Institute of Tertiary Education, Aboriginal Interpreting Service and FATSILC. Deanne has worked closely with KIS and the Mirima Committee over the past eight years on operations and service delivery, through the development of KIS, EOC Scoping paper Indigenous Interpreting Service – is there a Need? (YES!), WA Language Service Policy and review, and the consultation stages of the Aboriginal Language Policy. With a background in Arts and Environment, Deanne became passionate about language and communication by emersion in a country where land, language, arts and culture are intrinsically entwined. Deanne maintains the position that it is a basic human right for people to be heard, understood and to understand in their preferred language. Through maintaining connections and nationwide networks, Deanne ensures KIS is up to date with industry development and government initiatives.
3. Neil Gillespie: Aboriginal interpreting needs in South Australia
Full paper | Audio | Video | Slideshow
The Aboriginal Languages most frequently used by Aboriginal people in South Australia are Pitjantjatjara and Yankunutjatjara. They are western desert languages and there are many Aboriginal people in South Australia, young and old, who use those as their first languages and for whom English is a second language or not spoken at all. Those people come from the APY Lands, Coober Pedy, Pt. Augusta and on the far west coast, from Yalata, and Oak Valley. Their needs for interpreter services relate to all aspects of the people’s dealings with Anglo Australian society, but areas of particular importance, which have been shown to be inadequate include, courts, some hospitals and clinics, Centrelink, Correctional institutions, police and legal aid services. A recent Department of Premier and Cabinet Review (1) has highlighted these short comings and made recommendations to government for reform and improvements. One constant unresolved issue is the translatability of complex Australian legal and medical and governmental concepts into Aboriginal languages. Legal requirements for the use of interpreters in court are found in the South Australian Evidence Act (Section 14) and recent decisions of the Supreme Court (2). This paper discusses the implications of those statutory provisions and common law decisions, for the proper provision and management of competent and disinterested interpreters in South Australian courts and to police services. Apart from statutory and common law requirements, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR, provides the Human Rights backbone to these assertions of a right to interpreter services for Aboriginal people. (1) Review of the Aboriginal Languages Interpreter Services in South Australia Department of Premier and Cabinet AARD 2010. (2) Frank & The Police (2007) SASC 288.
Author bio: Neil Gillespie has been the Chief Executive Officer of South Australia’s Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement since late 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Business and Masters in Business Administration in addition to Membership at fellow level with a number of professional bodies. He was previously a National Director with the Australian Taxation Office and a past Corporate Banker. He has taught part time at NSW TAFE as a lecturer. Mr Gillespie is also experienced in Aboriginal Board Membership as follows: Executive Board member National Native Title Council Ltd the Native Title Representative Bodies Forum; Treasurer & Board Member Reconciliation SA; Treasurer & Board Member Nunga Mi:Minar; Chairperson David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research Advisory Committee; Member Indigenous Employment Advisory Committee UniSA; ALRM representative Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Advisory Committee; Treasurer & Board Member Tauondi Aboriginal Community College; Member Law Society of SA’s Access to Justice Committee; Member National Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee; Member Aboriginal Legal Services Forum. Neil has presented both in Australia and overseas on denial of access to justice for Aboriginal people, prisoner’s rights, family violence, engaging with men in reducing violence, and Indigenous governance. Finally, Neil is of Kamilaroi descent so has an extensive understanding and appreciation of the contemporary issues facing Aboriginal people including the continuing social disadvantage, denial of access to justice and marginalisation.