For National Indigenous Literacy Day today, 1 September, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) are proudly presenting a celebration of stories and language showing unique insight into the richness of our First Nations culture.
The online event shows videos from prominent Indigenous Australians including pop star Jessica Mauboy, author and performer Gregg Deise, and a special video from Uncle Archie Roach, as well as an event in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House’s Digital Creative Learning program and online workshops teaching Indigenous art and culture.
Author and proud Yamatji-Noogar woman, Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt, features in the virtual program with eight videos teaching children about Australia’s bush animals and cultural knowledge through her language, storytelling, song and art.
Aunty Rhonda reads her children’s book, Grandfather Emu and How the Kangaroo got her Pouch, as well as Mr Wardong the Crow and Mother Numbat.
Indigenous Literacy Foundation executive director Karen Williams said she’s proud to show people these incredible stories that are now available commercially as books, which has been an important part of today’s celebration.
“What blows me away is how generously people have shared their stories, words and wisdom and I think it’s important because it gives many of our First Nations people a platform for their voices to be heard,” she said.
“Our ILF Ambassador Shelley Ware said it well when she said, ‘when we go back 65,000 years, we are storytellers, and the sharing of our stories is our legacy and that is what will live on.’”
The ILF are working with remote Indigenous communities where literacy challenges are prominent and providing free books and resources to help communities to produce beautiful, commercial quality, published books written in Indigenous languages.
These non-fiction and fiction stories written by Indigenous authors can teach readers about walking on country, learning to fish, going to a bush supermarket, and walking through the mangroves looking for long bums and mud mussels.
Ms Williams said the ILF do not receive government funding, so any financial support and donations are gratefully welcomed to help support their work in empowering Indigenous remote communities to lead their own literacy journeys.
The stories from Indigenous authors are available to read on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website.
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