Indigenous Literacy Day 2021 University Library activities program  

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a charity with a vision for equity of opportunity for all Australian children.

Being able to read opens so many doors. But in very remote Indigenous communities, books are all too scarce and literacy levels are so much lower than anywhere else in Australia. The ILFs purpose is to make a difference to the lives of Indigenous families by not only gifting thousands of new culturally appropriate books – with a focus on early literacy and first language - but also by running programs to inspire the communities to tell and publish their own stories. 

This year the University Library is showing its support to the foundation by celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) by purchasing books from the foundation, promoting the ILD Celebrating Stories and Language Virtual Book reading event, raising funds for the foundation through the University Library Go Fundraiser page and building on our outreach program, by inviting elders and ambassadors to share their thoughts about Indigenous literacy and language. 

This year’s books from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

For the last two years, the Library has purchased print books from the ILF Shop to support and celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day and this year we are excited to add four (4) new, dynamic and heartfelt books to the Yaitya Ngutupira Indigenous knowledges collection.  

Best selling and much loved children's author Andy Griffiths travelled around Australia in his role as ILF ambassador. He ran writing and illustrating workshops with children from remote Indigenous communities in Manyallaluk, Beswick and Daly River (NT), Wyndham, Fitzroy Crossing and Warburton (WA). ‘The Naked Boy and the Crocodile’ is the result of those workshops entailing a collection of 13 stories told in the words and pictures of children.  

The young adults school pack comprises of three (3) book titles, including ‘Japarrika’ and ‘Shallow in the Deep End’, both written and illustrated by Tiwi College Alalinguwi Jarrakarlinga. ‘Japarrika’ tells the story of a young female Aboriginal football player who has to brave a lot to make the big game. ‘Shallow in the Deep End’ tells of a baby water buffalo and her friend Bruno the dog, who have a lot of fun, get in a lot of trouble and create a lot of havoc. ‘Two Ways Strong: Jaz's Story’ was written by the Deadly Mob from Concordia Lutheran College and is the story of an Aboriginal girl who goes to boarding school in Toowoomba, and of how she overcomes the challenges of being so far away from her family in a strange school. All four (4) titles will be available for loan. 

University Library Indigenous Literacy Foundation Go Fundraiser page 

The University Library Go Fundraiser page is now up and running. Most of the remote communities that the Indigenous Literacy Foundation work with report there are fewer than five (5) books in family homes. With the help of the Indigenous Literacy Foundations many programs, including Book Supply and Community Publishing Projects, quality books are gifted to organisations operating in remote communities donations through the Go Fundraiser page support books reaching these communities where they are needed most. The fundraiser page is accessible through the Library's social media platforms and Library Newsletter and donations are open to all staff, students and the public. 

Indigenous Literacy Day – Invitation to University Library quotes

The University Library has been an ongoing supporter and campaigner of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and its programs. This year we are building on our outreach program and inviting elders and ambassadors to share their thoughts about Indigenous literacy and language. Speakers will share their thoughts on the importance of literacy for Indigenous children, how language plays an integral role in early learning, and share some of their thoughts on Indigenous languages and culture to raise awareness about the literacy gap and celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day for 2021. 

Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) - Virtual Book reading - 9am Wednesday 1 September.  

Register your interest in Indigenous Literacy Day: Celebrating Stories and Language! This year, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation are hosting a free virtual celebration for all Australians going live from 9am Wednesday 1 September.  Through storytelling, ILD provides a window into the richness, diversity and multilingual world of First Nations peoples with a selection of short, two (2) minute, inspiring video stories by First Nations storytellers (of all ages) from across the country.