Stan Grant (Wiradjuri elder)
Overview
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
is an Elder
Elder (administrative title)
The term Elder is used in several different countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority...
of the Wiradjuri
Wiradjuri
The Wiradjuri are an Indigenous Australian group of central New South Wales.In the 21st century, major Wiradjuri groups live in Condobolin, Peak Hill, Narrandera and Griffith...
tribe of Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
from what is now the south-west inland region of the state of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Grant is one of the few people still living to have heard native speakers of his tribe's Wiradjuri language
Wiradjuri language
Wiradjuri is a Pama–Nyungan language of the Wiradhuric subgroup. It was the traditional language of the Wiradjuri people of Australia, but is no longer in general use. The process of reclaiming the language was greatly assisted by the publication in 2005 of A First Wiradjuri Dictionary by elder...
, having been brought up as a child around native speakers of his grandfather's generation, notably his grandfather.
He has been crucial to the reconstruction of the Wiradjuri language along with Dr John Rudder
John Rudder
John Rudder, Ph.D., has studied the Australian Aboriginal languages, of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory and the state of New South Wales , Australia.-Work:...
, with whom he travels among the Wiradjuri people, teaching their language.