Stories from the ILF

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is delighted to announce our new Program Manager, Zoe Cassim.Â

Tictac Moore is ILF's Regional Coordinator, based in the Tiwi Islands. She is a vibrant, hardworking and talented member of the Program Team and gives her 100% to support the Tiwi Communities with ILF's literacy programs.  In this blog, Tictac reflects on the last 12 months.

Responding to Book Supply requests from Communities is one of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation's (ILF) key priorities and an important part of Australia Post's partnership with the ILF that began in 2020.Â

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) was founded by bookseller and academic, Suzy Wilson, more than eleven years ago.  After visiting remote Australia in 2004, she rallied the Australian Book Industry to support her vision to supply new, quality books and learning resources to children living in isolated regions; where books are few and access to books is limited.Â

A total of 106 readers were provided to Yirrkala School by a neighbouring school and the team at Yirrkala translated them from Djambarrpuyŋu to Dhuwaya, meaning the students are able to use them to learn to read in their First Language!

In North-East Arnhem land, the Yirrkala community has recently celebrated the launch of a new book, Wanhaka Yothu Yingaṉi written in Dhuwaya, a YolÅ‹u language.Â

As part of their auction, they were able to secure some signed merchandise from the Brisbane Lions player and Indigenous man, Charlie Cameron. They also auctioned off a beautiful Indigenous artwork by Jennifer Kent from Manamana Dreaming, who is a close connection of one of their team members.

National publishing company Penguin Random House (PRH) have been proudly and actively supporting ILF since 2007. Late in 2021, the company generously donated $100,000 to the ILF to help the Foundation grow its 2022 literacy programs in remote Communities across Australia. This brings an incredible  donation total of $776,833.67 over the 15 year relationship!Â

Their aim was to reconnect library members with the library and during the amnesty over $20,000 worth of fines were forgiven in exchange for a small donation to the ILF.

Starting out as a small celebration of survival by mostly First Nations people, the Festival has grown immensely over the last 20 years. Before the pandemic began, the event saw tens of thousands of people attending each year.

Maria believes that this art exhibition has allowed the staff and students to continually raise awareness about Indigenous culture as well as showcase their school's identity to their local community.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2022 - 2032 the Decade of Indigenous Languages. The Decade provides an important platform to celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' languages for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

"˜Synergetic: A Virtual Restorative Night' was an online event organised by students of TAFE NSW Ultimo with proceeds donated to the ILF, raising a fantastic amount of over $4000! Organised by students from TAFE NSW Ultimo, this digital event was a way for the students to test out their event management skills, while also raising money for a great cause.

Of the 210 students enrolled at Kirton Point Primary School in Port Lincoln, SA, a large percentage identify as Aboriginal.  Both English and Barngala are spoken in the community of approximately 15,000, where few family homes have easy access to books and other literacy materials.

The second year of the pandemic has not stopped the ILF from delivering literacy programs to remote playgrounds, schools and Communities.  To celebrate the end of an amazing year, we have released our bilingual Festive Book packs.Â

Since 2016, the community of Kowanyama on the west coast of Cape York in Queensland has been receiving deliveries of books from our Book Supply program. Kowanyama is 9 hours' drive west from Cairns, and about 4.5 hours' drive north from Normanton. Languages spoken in the community include Kokomenjen, Kunjen, Yer Yoront/Kokoberra and English.

Chuffed Skates isn't just a roller-skate shop. It is a community where people connect to improve their mental and physical health, and bond over a love of roller-skating. Ashley Chitty, an Indigenous skater on their team, chose to support the ILF because she wanted to support an organisation that makes a difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.Â

Why and how your donation helps Indigenous kids in remote Australia achieve. We need your help this festive season, but before we ask in earnest, let us explain why your donation is needed and how your donation is spent.