Dozens of Aboriginal language custodians call for further revival efforts

The Top End Strong Languages Statement calls on communities and governments to integrate Aboriginal languages into Western systems like schools and clinics. (ABC News: Jayden O'Neill)

More than 30 Aboriginal language custodians have released a statement on keeping Northern Territory Indigenous languages strong.

The statement includes calls for more funding for language services such as culture centres, and for services like clinics to build capacity for language understanding.

The Australian delegate for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages has called for governments to meet community efforts to protect languages.

A group of more than 30 Aboriginal language custodians is calling on communities and governments to step up efforts to ensure the survival of Indigenous languages.

After years of work, the delegation of Northern Territory language custodians this week released the Top End Strong Languages Statement.

The four-page report sets out a road map of how communities want language revival and survival efforts to be prioritised and implemented across the NT.

It touches on topics including bilingual education and prioritising language knowledge-sharing within communities.

A one-page summary of the Top End Strong Languages Statement, which sets out priority areas including education, community services and archival repatriation. (Supplied)

Among the statement's calls are more funding for language services such as language and culture centres, for services like clinics to build capacity for language understanding, and for repatriation systems to return archived materials.

The document also calls for a strengthening of bilingual education, calling on Western education systems to work with communities to drive language programs and curricula.

The efforts to create the statement have been led by Rarrtjiwuy Herdman, a speaker of Dhaŋu, an Arnhem Land language with just a few speakers left.

The language is one of a number represented in the statement that have previously been described as endangered.

"For me, it's about acknowledging that of the places we interact with in our communities, often in an organisational setting, [it] is through English," she said.

"I want to be able to support and build the capacity of young adults and the next generation of people who will work in community … to deliver services to Yolŋu in my community in our language."

Rarrtjiwuy Herdman has already started efforts to revitalise Dhaŋu in her community. (ABC News: Tilda Colling)

Since starting to work with the Top End Language Group, Ms Herdman has also