Indigenous Literacy Day: 2 September 2020

Indigenous Literacy Day is a day to highlight the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s first languages, as well as to raise awareness of and help reduce the Indigenous literacy gap. 

Only 36% of Indigenous Year 5 students in very remote areas are at or above national minimum reading standards, compared to 96% for non-Indigenous students in major cities (2018 NAPLAN). In addition, many remote communities don’t have many, if any, books. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s projects focus on encouraging early literacy and providing books to children from remote communities in their own language. 

“At ILF we understand that early literacy is the cornerstone of success in education,’ says Karen Williams, Executive Director of ILF. “We understand that encouraging early literacy requires children and their parents to have access to books and that children need to see themselves in the stories they read. They need to see that their culture is cherished and their stories are celebrated by all Australians. We welcome everyone to join us for what we believe is an incredibly positive story, and one that all Australians should be part of” ( Indigenous Literacy Foundation, 2020).

This year, Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations will take place online so everyone can take part. The 45 minute event will be broadcast live on YouTube on Wednesday 2 September and will also be available after the event. ILF Ambassadors, Jessica Mauboy, Anita Heiss, Andy Griffiths, Alison Lester, Shelley Ware and ILF co-Patron June Oscar AO, will be joined by children and community members from Tiwi Islands, Jilkminggan in the Northern Territory and Bidyadanga in Western Australia.

Viewers are encouraged to donate a gold coin on the day. Funds will contribute to the purchase of books and learning resources for children in remote communities.