It’s Indigenous Literacy Day! A day dedicated to preserving the stories of our elders in books while maintaining their cultural integrity.
This year’s theme is Strength in our Stories – For Now and Future Generations.
In 2025, Indigenous Literacy Foundation has worked with children in a number of Indigenous communities and help them turn elders stories into books.
The communities involved include Ceduna and Koonibba in South Australia, Katherine and Binjari in the Northern Territory and Warakurna Community in Western Australia.
Strength in our Stories – For Now and Future Generations
Wiradjuri and Gandangara man and ILF CEO, Ben Bowen says the theme comes straight from community.
“This theme in particular is coming from community who are talking about moving things from oral storytelling and finding new ways to bring their culture to life and ensure that future generations continue and practice the key part of storytelling which is our culture” he says.
Mr Bowen says the task does have its challenges.
“We all grew up with those three day yarns and four day yarns and turning that into a condensed 20 page board book or a short story is incredibly hard to make sure that we have the right elements.”
He says art and illustrations also help maintain the integrity of elders stories.
“[It] helps to layer those stories and and maintain the deeper relevance.”
Film and Live Stream
A film of the work that the ILF has done with the children has been shared with the community on their website today.
“So we go out, work with the community to tell some of the stories, get them to showcase some of the journey, bringing the books together and showcase their communities and their lifestyles as well” Mr Bowen says.
The screening of the film was followed by a live stream from the Sydney Opera House with ambassadors and special guests.
The guests, including Lucas Proudfoot, Bianca Hunt, Josh Pyke and Andy Griffiths, put on performances celebrating Aboriginal storytelling.
“ILF created this day as just an idea to try to promote indigenous storytelling in, in books.”
(Feature image: ILF’s trailer for this year’s film)
