The 2023 NAIDOC theme ‘For Our Elders’ acknowledges the incredible role that Elders play in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Communities.
For many First Nations peoples, Elders are tasked with passing down cultural knowledge and guidance. Many First Nations Elders are Survivors of the Stolen Generations, advocate for social justice and human rights, and have passed on thousands of generations worth of knowledge and culture to the younger ones today.
For the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), Elders have guided the stories that we help publish and are the backbone of the Communities we work with.
Elders in remote Communities are the knowledge holders of cultural practices that have existed on these lands for thousands of generations. Being strong in one’s culture and language is the aspiration of our Elders, both past and present. Whether it is through our Book Supply, Book Buzz, or Community Publishing, the work of the ILF would not be possible without the expertise and care that Elders have for their Communities.
Murli La: Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands
Written by the Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group from the Tiwi Islands and Dr Genevieve Campbell, Murli la is a beautifully designed book that celebrates the culture of the Tiwi Islands through song.
The songs presented in this book hold cultural, genealogical, geographical and spiritual knowledge that has been passed down through thousands of years of Tiwi storytelling, ceremony and in the songlines that circle the islands. There is also a QR code so that you can listen to the songs in language while you read.
The Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group have been sisters and friends all their lives. As young women, they composed songs to pass on the stories of their islands, culture and ancestors.
As Elders and mentors in their Community, these women draw on the old ways of Tiwi song traditions to help young Tiwi people connect with their language and cultural identity.
Murli la comes from the knowledge and wisdom of the Tiwi Elders and honours them because it encapsulates, in a written and visual format, what they wish for the young people to learn.
“I reckon it’s a wonderful thing to do this, to show our children, to know and sing well in their Tiwi language. We know they can speak in English, but in two languages. English and Tiwi” – Tiwi Elder Mary.
“I think it is wonderful. The presentation today will be real best for our younger women to look at the older people, you know, singing and dancing, and it’s all about this book” – Tiwi Elder Elaine.
- Watch video (4 mins)
- Shop Murli La
We Look, We Find
One of ILF’s newest titles, We Look, We Find, was written and illustrated by the Napranum Community in Cape York, Queensland. The story explores the importance of being on Country with Elders and is the first time Thaynakwith language has ever been commercially published in a book.
This book was guided by the expertise of Community Elder Thanakupi, who created the book Thanakupi's Guide to Language and Culture.
“As a proud Indigenous woman, Thanakupi taught the Community that language is a part of you, and you should be proud of that” – Trish, a Director of the Napranum PaL Group.
Thanakupi was a renowned ceramic artist, educator, linguist and Elder of the Napranum Community that helped establish the first preschool and was one of the first preschool teachers in Napranum.
She was the last fluent speaker of Thaynakwith and spent much time documenting and passing down knowledge for the next generation.
Thanakupi’s passion and teachings significantly influenced We Look, We Find, and it is the hope of the Napranum Community that this book will help to keep her legacy alive.
What NAIDOC means to ILF Staff
Hear from proud Kamilaroi and Dunghutti woman, Jolene (ILF's Book Buzz Manager) and proud Jingili, Mudburra and Mangarrayi woman Cindy (ILF’s Publishing Projects Editor) about what this years NAIDOC theme means to them.