Yamandhu marang, exciting news!
We've just launched our newest commercial title, Country Tells Us When.... Written in Yawuru and English by Tsheena Cooper, Mary Dann, Dalisa Pigram-Ross and Sheree Ford, this beautifully illustrated bilingual book shares the six seasons in Rubibi (the town of Broome). The story emphasises the importance of caring for Country and takes readers on a journey to discover how the Yawuru people read the seasons.
- Please show your support for bilingual books by purchasing your copy here.
We are also very proud to have published a new book from the Napranum Community, We Look, We Find, representing the first time a children’s picture book has been commercially published in Thanynakwith Language. This book is a delightful story about the importance of being on Country and the animals that can be found on the land. The book draws much knowledge and influence from the language dictionary, Thanakupi’s Guide to Language and Culture, written by Community Elder Thanakupi.
March has also been a busy month with events. We launched our biggest fundraiser, The Great Book Swap at Sydney Taronga Zoo and the University of Queensland. Check out the coverage from the launch on Channel 10 and NITV below!
On the behalf of the ILF, we thank you. We would not be able to achieve publishing books with remote Communities and sharing their stories without your support.
Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
CELEBRATING | UNESCO's second year of the Decade of Indigenous Languages, each month we encourage readers to learn a new word in either an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language.
This month's word is blue tongue lizard in Bundjalung language! Bundjalung Country is in the far North East Coast of NSW and the Southern Eastern coast of Queensland.- blue tongue lizard = gubagun
- Phonetics: goo-ba-garn
- Download the audio version here.
LAUNCHING | Great Book Swap!
On Tuesday 14 March 2023, with much anticipation and excitement, we launched our biggest fundraising event, Great Book Swap (GBS) for 2023 at Taronga Zoo in Sydney and at the University of Queensland (UQ).WATCHING | NITV and Channel 10 Coverage on Great Book Swap Launch!
We are pleased that both Channel 10 and NITV joined in the fun at our Great Book Swap launch at Sydney Taronga Zoo! Check out the coverage by Channel 10 and the NITV news segment here.
PERFORMING | ILF's Newest Musical Literacy Fundraiser
A new Busking For Change website goes live on 30 March with music charts, videos, lyrics, prizes and more! Busking For Change involves students to sing, play an instrument, dance or learn a song in Kriol, a First Nations language widely spoken in the Top End.- Register your interest here and learn more about this exciting, new fundraiser through this video.
CELEBRATING | International Women's Day | 8 March
We celebrated International Women's Day (IWD), a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Check out our social posts about the importance of IWD with ILF Ambassadors Shelley Ware and Anita Heiss as well as Emma and Tshinta who are First Nations ILF staff members!CELEBRATING | Australian Reading Hour
This month we celebrated Australian Reading Hour, a national day dedicated to sharing the joys of books, reading and stories. ILF staff got into the spirit with one hour of reading as well as sharing and enjoying stories that they love.ENGAGING | Saltbush at Sydney Opera House | 14-17 April 2023
This school holidays, our friends at Sydney Opera House are holding an interactive journey through First Nations culture called Saltbush. Join two friends and their spiritual guide, as they cross Australian landscapes and experience their wonder through impressive light projections and digital technology.PREVIEWING | Advance Copies of New Titles
Shordi Krik (Shorty Creek)This month, our publishing team received advance copies of a new book; Shordi Krik (Shorty Creek), a song written in Kriol and English by students from Barunga School with Justine Clarke. This book will be published in late May and officially launched at Barunga Festival in June!
NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language
We are super excited about receiving the advance copies of a new commercial ILF book, NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language. This book celebrates nine stories in nine languages from across the Northern Territory. Watch this space for the release!
Ananyila Aputulalakutu! (Finke, Here We Come!)
Our team also received advance copies of Ananyila Aputulalakutu! (Finke, Here We Come!), a non-commercial book in Pitjantjatjara and English which tells a fun story of students from Ernabella Anangu School as they travel to the Finke Desert Races.
OFFERING | Special Thanks
We are indebted to our partner Australia Post for their support with the delivery of Book Supply packs to remote Communities and their ongoing fundraising.A huge thank you to the Harry Hartog stores for raising over $30,000 for us over the Festive period last year – a truly amazing effort! Support from these bookstores keeps growing which is wonderful to see.
SHARING | Community Fundraisers
When Founder of The V Spot, Jannifer, discovered that Feb 14 is also National Library Lovers Day she found it far more interesting than Valentine’s Day! Jannifer decided to donate 10% of every February sale through her online store to ILF. A big heart felt thank you to Jannifer and the team at The V Spot.We would like to thank Feel Better Pilates who raised over $1,200 in one day for the ILF! On January 26th, customers set their own ticket prices and the studio donated these profits. With just 30 visitors to the studio that day, they raised an incredible amount! Thank you to Feel Better Pilates and their customers for their wonderful support.
Thank you to Salty Swimwear who are supporting the ILF for the third year in a row alongside Indigenous Literacy Day by donating a portion of profits from their swimwear line. Check out their swimwear line in collaboration with Muthi Muthi artist, Jessica Clarke.
MORE:
Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF)Address: 17/207 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9280 0644
Email: info@ilf.org.au