Connecting People to Country Through Language
Officially launched last week (27 Nov), the palawa kani place names app makes it easier than ever to learn, hear and share more than 300 authentic Aboriginal place names from across Lutruwita/Tasmania. Each entry includes pronunciation in palawa kani, as well as historical and cultural context that connects people directly with Country and story.
A Community-Led Achievement With Deep Roots
As published in Koori Mail and The Guardian, the release of this information to the public is a significant milestone. More than a language, palawa kani is a testament to extraordinary resilience. After invasion and the devastating impact of colonisation, no fluent speakers remained. Yet, through more than 30 years of dedicated linguistic research, cultural knowledge, and community leadership, language workers have reclaimed a living language that continues to grow.
As Daisy Allan — from Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre’s palawa kani Language Program — shared with the Koori Mail, these place names “have belonged to Country since time began.” The app honours that truth. It also embodies the careful, rigorous work behind palawa kani: ground research, historical records, oral knowledge, phonetic reconstruction, and a language program that now spans every stage of life, from the earliest songs for babies to school learning and adult education.
A Tool for Everyone and a Celebration of Sovereignty
The palawa kani place names app makes authentic Aboriginal place names more accessible than ever. It’s free, works online and offline, and includes features designed to encourage everyday use — from shareable names to guidance on Acknowledgement of Country.
As noted in the recent reporting, the app holds a different kind of power and authority than previous dual-naming policies. It is Aboriginal-owned, Aboriginal-driven, and grounded entirely in the palawa community’s decades of research and cultural responsibility. It’s a resource built with care, precision, and deep respect.
A Project We’re Honoured to Be Part Of
Congratulations to the entire TAC team, especially the language workers who have carried this work across generations. Their dedication to retrieving, teaching, and speaking palawa kani has brought a sleeping language into new life — and now, into the hands of thousands.
We’re proud to have worked alongside TAC in the design and development to help bring this app into the world. It stands not just as a digital tool, but as a celebration of cultural continuity, community sovereignty, and the enduring strength of Palawa people.
If you haven’t explored it yet, we encourage you to download palawa kani place names app on the App Store or Google Play and begin learning the original names of the places around you.
Congratulations to TAC — this is a remarkable achievement, and we’re honoured to support the journey.