The unique stories, cultures, and languages of three First Nations communities will take center stage during the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s (ILF) upcoming Indigenous Literacy Day. Set to be held in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House, this annual event will spotlight the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities from Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. Alongside this, the ILF will launch new bilingual books, further enriching the tapestry of Indigenous storytelling. Celebrating First Nations Voices: Indigenous Literacy Day 2024
Be A Proud Voice for Country: 2024 Theme
This year’s Indigenous Literacy Day theme, Be A Proud Voice for Country, will delve into the deep connection between Country and community through the voices of those who hold its stories. ILF ambassador, Jessica Mauboy, will guide viewers on a journey into three First Nations communities, sharing their unique narratives and cultural expressions.
Mauboy expressed her pride in supporting this initiative: “I am so proud to be an Indigenous Literacy Foundation Ambassador and support the incredible programs they run in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Stories are so important. Sharing stories, songs, and keeping the fire of culture alive is so important to who I am. These deadly stories from First Nations Communities keep culture and language alive.”
A Journey Through First Nations Communities
Viewers will embark on a virtual exploration of Indigenous culture, starting from the riverbanks of Cunnamulla, Queensland, where dreaming stories come to life. In Vincentia, New South Wales, teenagers will share their cultural journeys through poetry and art. Finally, on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, the wisdom of Elders and the vibrant stories of children will be revealed through song and storytelling.
Launch of New Bilingual Books
Indigenous Literacy Day will also mark the launch of three new bilingual books published by the ILF, with students from the participating communities traveling to Sydney to join in the celebrations.
Vincentia High School’s Bilingual Creations
One of the highlights will be the unveiling of two texts created by Indigenous Year 7-10 students from Vincentia High School on the South Coast of New South Wales. The books, titled ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-unggul (We Belong to the Land, We Belong to the Sea) and bagan, barra barra, mirriwarr (The Boys Who Found Their Way), are the culmination of workshops led by proud Gunai woman, Kirli Saunders, and visual arts teacher and proud Dharawal woman, Jaz Corr.
Vincentia High Aboriginal education coordinator, Aunty Gai Brown, spoke of the significance of these books: “It is the first time our community kids have had the opportunity to express their connection to the land and waterways of their Country using the traditional language of their ancestors. The books are a visual delight with artworks completed by the students telling these same stories visually. It is a proud moment for our school and community, and we cannot thank the ILF enough for giving us this opportunity to showcase our language and culture to a wider audience.”
Tjuntjuntjara Remote Community School’s Contribution
Another exciting release is Yalta Ngayuku Papa? (Where’s My Dog?), a picture book by students of Tjuntjuntjara Remote Community School, located in the Great Victoria Desert, home of the Spinifex people. Written in both English and Pitjantjatjara, the book was produced through a workshop led by writer Stewart Ennis and community consultant and artist Ange Leech.
Ennis shared insights into the book’s creation: “There are a lot of dogs in Tjuntjuntjara, and the children’s dogs all had these fantastic names – Wi-Fi, One-Side, Army Girl, and so on. That was interesting enough, but then they began to draw their dogs, and these dog pictures were so full of character…But one of the most important characters in the book is Country itself, so it makes sense that each page of the book is framed by the images of the Tjuntjuntjara red dirt earth.”
A Celebration of Indigenous Culture at the Sydney Opera House
Indigenous Literacy Day will not only be a literary event but also a cultural celebration featuring music, dance, art, and storytelling. Held inside the iconic Sydney Opera House, the event will include performances and appearances by ILF Ambassadors Jessica Mauboy, Bianca Hunt, Gregg Dreise, Josh Pyke, and Justine Clarke.
Bianca Hunt, the livestream host, expressed her excitement: “I’m so excited to be hosting this year’s Indigenous Literacy Day! This is my first ILD, and I can’t wait to be involved. It is such an important day to highlight First Nations authors and communities and ensure our kids have access to reading.”
Continuing the Legacy of Indigenous Storytelling
ILF CEO, Ben Bowen, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme: “To ‘Be a Proud Voice for Country’ is as diverse as the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Some of their stories have been captured on the pages of the three books launching on ILD. This year we celebrate the many languages and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their continued role as the voice for Country.”
Join the Celebration
Indigenous Literacy Day will be livestreamed from the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, 4 September, starting at 10:30 AM AEST. Registrations for this free event are now available online. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this powerful celebration of First Nations voices, stories, and cultures.
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