Every classroom has the opportunity to help students discover the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, cultures and languages. Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD), founded by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), offers teachers a free and engaging way to do exactly that through a national film and livestream event, classroom resources and meaningful activities that bring learning to life.
Held on the first Wednesday of September each year, Indigenous Literacy Day celebrates First Nations stories, cultures and languages while raising awareness of the importance of literacy in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. This year's celebration will take place on Wednesday 2 September and will celebrate the theme Country Is Our Teacher.
Produced by the ILF in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House, the free film and livestream will be available live and on demand from 10.30am (AEST), giving classrooms across Australia the opportunity to experience and celebrate the world's oldest continuing cultures together.
About the film – take your students on a journey to Central Australia!
This year's film invites students on an unforgettable journey into the Central Desert of Australia with 2 children, Niningka and Chris, from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and Nyirripi in the Northern Territory.
Students will discover the unique connections Aboriginal people have to Country, language and culture. They'll learn about life on Warlpiri Country in Nyirripi and hear words in Warlpiri language, before travelling to Mparntwe to learn Arrernte words alongside children and Elders.
Through authentic storytelling and lived experiences, the film encourages curiosity, cultural understanding and respect, with learning that extends well beyond the classroom.
The live event – experience stories, song and language
After the film, classrooms can join a livestream from the Sydney Opera House featuring ILF Ambassadors and remote Community authors from Warakurna Community in Western Australia as they celebrate the launch of their new book, My Walk Through the Seasons on Ngaanyatjarra Country.
Through storytelling, music, dance and conversation, students will experience the joy of learning through First Nations voices while gaining a deeper understanding of Aboriginal cultures and languages. It's an engaging and interactive celebration that will have students listening, singing, moving and learning together.
Three easy ways to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day in your classroom
Whether you have an hour or a whole day to dedicate to ILD, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Watch the film and livestream
Register your class to watch the free film and livestream and use the accompanying ILD teacher resources and classroom activities to continue learning after the event. The curriculum-aligned resources are designed to help students explore the themes of Country, language and storytelling in meaningful and engaging ways.
Host a Great Book Swap
Bring your school community together by hosting a Great Book Swap. Students simply swap a favourite book in exchange for a donation, helping to raise funds for culturally relevant books and literacy programs for children living in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
Award-winning children's author and ILF Lifetime Ambassador Andy Griffiths says: ‘The Great Book Swap is a win-win. Not only does it help to raise money for books and learning resources in remote communities, but the excitement and fun that a book swap generates will help improve literacy levels in your school community as well!’
Learn a song and Busk For Change
If your students love music and movement, Busking For Change is another fantastic way to celebrate. Learn MINYAN NGABANGKA – a song written by ILF Ambassador Dobby and Kelsey Iris, alongside children from Brewarrina in remote north-west New South Wales – before performing it at your school on ILD.
ILF Lifetime Ambassador and actress, singer and author Justine Clarke says: ‘When children learn through singing, they build confidence, creativity and a deeper connection to the stories and languages they are sharing. Busking For Change is such a fun and accessible way for teachers, students and communities to get involved, while helping to support literacy programs for children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.’
Celebrating culture while making a difference
Every year, thousands of schools across Australia participate in ILD. By taking part, students not only celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, cultures and languages, but also help support the ILF’s work delivering culturally relevant books, literacy programs and learning resources to remote communities.
Whether your class watches the film, hosts a Great Book Swap or learns a song through Busking For Change, every activity helps foster greater understanding of First Nations cultures while making a meaningful difference for children living in remote communities.
Teachers can register for the free film and livestream and discover more ways to celebrate ILD at ilf.org.au/ild.
