Stories from the ILF

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is excited to announce the launch of four new tote bags with illustrations from Country Tells Us When"¦ a story dedicated to the lands, languages and peoples of the Kimberley region.

While Yabun is an event to honour the strengths of First Nations Peoples and Communities, it is also a space where all people are welcome and encouraged to come along. Many non-Indigenous people show their solidarity and support by attending events like Yabun and joining in on important conversations about First Nations peoples' hopes for the present and future. It is these collective gatherings that are not about January 26 itself, but about celebrating connection to people and place.

Francesca is raising funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) with their January Awareness Bracelet!

In cities and towns, we have the privilege of having libraries and bookstores to read different types of books whenever we need. But for kids growing up in remote areas, there is often a lack of books. And for the books that do exist, they often do not reflect the lives and cultures of First Nations peoples.

"What a special day - my heart is so full," said ILF Publishing Projects Editor, Cindy. This year, the ILF's Indigenous Literacy Day was watched live by over 302,654 people.

This year's Indigenous Literacy Day takes you on a virtual journey to three remote Indigenous Communities to celebrate the launch of three books in three different languages; Shordi Krik in Barunga, Northern Territory, Country Tells Us When"¦ in Rubibi (Broome), Western Australia, and We Look, We Find in Weipa on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. But what are these books about? And why are they important?

Kriol in the Top End is one kind of creole, from around the world. Kriol is not a "˜blekbala langguj brabili' or a traditional Aboriginal language. It is a pretty "˜new' language. When it first started in Australia, Kriol didn't have a name, but linguists, that is people who work with languages, called it Kriol with a different spelling.

The 2023 NAIDOC theme "˜For Our Elders' acknowledges the incredible role that Elders play in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Communities. This is what the theme means to us.

Engaging in the Reading Opens Doors Library can also showcase your workplace's support of Indigenous literacy. Having the Library physically in your office can allow staff to be constantly engaged with the work of the ILF. As Heidi explains, it has provided Wotton + Kearney with an ongoing conversation around ILF, so that Indigenous literacy is always present and represented.

Learning to read in your First Language helps to strengthen identity, pride, culture, and connection to Community and Country. Seeing your language written in a published book sends a clear message that your language is acknowledged, important and worth maintaining.

"Some cultures around the world have four seasons that they look out for on a calendar; Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Us Yawuru mob, we don't have four seasons that are told to us by a calendar. We have six seasons and Country tells us when they have arrived by what we feel, see, taste, smell and hear."

Nic, Ana and Daisy are three Speech Pathologists from Western Australia who have a passion for swimming and social justice. They have fundraised $2,280 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) by "˜dipping' in the ocean once a week for a whole year. A dip means that at least their shoulders must be under the water.Â

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is an annual event run by Reconciliation Australia that asks all Australians to reflect and learn from First Nations peoples and Communities. There are a number of significant dates during this week. Learn about what they mean and what you can do.

Over the last six years, many much-needed items have been distributed to remote and regional Communities by the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation. And now books from ILF's Book Supply program are reaching families too.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is proud to publish a new book from Napranum Community, We Look, We Find representing the first time a children's picture book featuring Thanynakwith language has ever been commercially published.

Celebrating the launch of the 2023 Great Book Swap at Sydney Taronga Zoo and the University of Queensland

"It was such a valuable experience for our team. We were lucky to have the opportunity to meet incredible First Language learners and teachers from across Australia. It really was a place for the sharing of techniques, ideas, skills and passion. And there is such amazing work being done throughout these Communities."