Samoa Language Week is being celebrated for the first time in Australia with the National Rugby league among the first to provide support.
The move is a partnership initiative between the Australian and New Zealand Human Rights Commissions.
Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes estimates around 40,000 people speak the language in Australia.
He says he's hopeful it will become an annual event.
"Pacific Island people participate in Rugby League both in Australia and New Zealand so one of the things that the National Rugby League has done is to provide some support for people of Pacific Island background to recognize their culture and language and they've been pleased to support us yes."
Graeme Innes.
Samoa Language Week in Australia and New Zealand runs from May 30 til June 5.
