ILF to hold Indigenous Literacy Day YouTube event

This year, in lieu of its usual celebration at the Sydney Opera House, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) will post a 45-minute ‘visual event’ on its YouTube channel to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day on Wednesday, 2 September at 12.30pm.

In the video, children and community members from the Tiwi Islands and Jilkminggan in the Northern Territory and Bidyadanga in Western Australia will share their stories and the value of language. Cheryl Lardy will also read Yu sabi densdensbad? (Can You Dance?) in Kriol, and Jessica Mauboy will sing a ‘stunning rendition of an 80s Australian favourite’.

The event also features ILF ambassadors including Andy Griffiths, Shelley Ware, Alison Lester, Josh Pyke, Natalie Ahmat, Jared Thomas and Anita Heiss, co-patron June Oscar and long-time ILF supporter Archie Roach.

ILF executive director Karen Williams said, ‘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.’

The ILF in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House is also launching an Indigenous Literacy Day celebration designed for primary and early learners—children three to 11 years of age. This is a separate event, launching at 2pm on the Sydney Opera House YouTube channel.

For more information about Indigenous Literacy Day 2020, visit the ILF website.

Category: Junior Local news