On the first Wednesday of September, Australia comes together to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day, a vibrant annual event dedicated to honouring the stories, cultures, and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
On September 4th, the ILF) in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House are hosting an event highlighting stories from Vincentia (NSW), Cunnamulla in SW Queensland and The Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory featuring ILF superstar ambassadors Jessica Mauboy, Bianca Hunt, Gregg Dreisse, Josh Pyke and Justine Clarke.
The significance of this day cannot be overstated as it is a moment to reflect on the rich heritage of Indigenous communities and to acknowledge the vital work being done to preserve and promote Indigenous languages and literacy.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF): a beacon of hope
The ILF has made remarkable strides in ensuring that Indigenous children have the resources they need to engage with their cultural heritage through literacy.
Talking to NITV Radio, Ben Bowen, ILF CEO explained how his organisation aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of Indigenous children by providing them with culturally relevant books and literacy resources.
“What sets the ILF apart is its focus on a strengths-based approach, emphasizing what Indigenous children can do, rather than what they lack,” Ben Bowen said.
“Our kids may speak 3 or 4 even sometimes more than ten different languages before English. We want to celebrate that and strengthen that ability for them.”
This approach has seen children not only engage with literacy but thrive in it, becoming authors and storytellers from a young age.
The ILF is not merely focused on teaching literacy in English but is dedicated to preserving and promoting the use of Indigenous languages, many of which have been primarily oral.Ben Bowen
“What we do is listen to the communities and what they do is telling their stories, and bringing their languages to the publishing industry, and more broadly to the market.”.
This statement underscores the ILF’s commitment to fostering a deep connection between Indigenous children and their linguistic heritage.
“We work with kids and elders. We don’t see a gap in kids falling behind. We see kids being authors and publishing books from a very young age right through to the elders.”
One of the ILF’s standout achievements this year was being awarded the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) for children’s literature, the largest award of its kind globally.
This accolade is a testament to the tireless work of the ILF and its commitment to preserving Indigenous languages and stories together with allies and partners.
“This award (Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is a direct acknowledgement to communities we partner with, corporate partners and supporters, donors, ambassadors, our board and volunteers that have all played a critical role in building the ILF,” Ben Bowen said.
“The ILF is not merely focused on teaching literacy in English but is dedicated to preserving and promoting the use of Indigenous languages, many of which have been primarily oral.”
By doing so, the ILF ensures that these languages are not only preserved but also celebrated and passed on to future generations.
Literacy for Life Foundation: transforming communities through adult literacy
While the ILF focuses on children, the (LFLF) is making a significant impact on adult literacy in Aboriginal communities.
More than 40% of Aboriginal adults have low literacy, a statistic that the LFLF is determined to change. As an Aboriginal-run charity, the LFLF employs a community-driven approach to literacy, training local people to deliver literacy classes in their own communities.
Talking to NITV Radio, Professor Jack Beetson, CEO of the LFLF, highlights the importance of community ownership in this process.
“We ask people who can read to do the surveys of literacy levels in their communities. Based on these results, we carry out our campaigns. We train members of the community to then go on to run literacy campaigns in their respective communities. It is all about community ownership,” Professor Jack Beetson said.
This method not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the entire community, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond literacy.
Improved literacy leads to greater economic opportunities, better health outcomes, and a stronger sense of cultural identity.Professor Jack Beetson
The LFLF’s innovative campaign approach has been successful in various locations around the world, and its impact in Australia is becoming increasingly evident.
Professor Jack Beetson explained that by lifting adult literacy levels, the LFLF is not just addressing literacy itself but is also unlocking a range of opportunities for Indigenous communities.
“Improved literacy leads to greater economic opportunities, better health outcomes, and a stronger sense of cultural identity.”
The work of the ILF and LFLF serves as a powerful reminder that literacy is not just about reading and writing; it is about connecting with our roots, telling our stories, and ensuring that these stories continue to be told for generations to come.