The Indigenous community is concerned about a proposed law to protect Aboriginal languages.

New South Wales wants to be the first state in Australia to introduce legislation to recognise and protect Indigenous languages.

The draft bill is out for discussion and has been met with some criticism during a consultation session in Wagga Wagga.

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Wiradjuri elder and language teacher Stan Grant Senior said legislation was not the way to protect languages.

"The word 'protection' means control and I don't think the Government should be able to control our languages," he said.

"We will control our language, not the Government. I'd like for the control to go back to the elders."

Wiradjuri woman Sue Green said she was pleased there was a conversation about the importance of preserving languages, but questioned whether there was a need for legislation.

"Our way is that the elders have authority and they work in consultation with all of us and we reach a consensus," she said.

"What's proposed currently is so far removed from our ways of knowing the world and operating in the world, and it takes our language out of context and makes it a commodity."

Feedback welcomed

New South Wales Aboriginal Affairs Minister Sarah Mitchell has vowed to work with local communities about their concerns.

"I don't see this in any way as me or the government having control," she said.

"It's about putting into the state's legislation recognition of how important Aboriginal languages are, and we want to do that with the complete support and involvement of the local Aboriginal community.

"My view is that it actually makes it government-proof, it stops it from being a piecemeal approach."

The final bill is expected to be brought before Parliament by the end of the year.