Yamandhu marang.
We are pleased to announce that the first release of Book Supply is now out in Community! So far, we have delivered over 88,000 books that are going to be used in more than 380 remote Communities. Even though we have not even finished Book Supply for 2023 yet, we are expecting for publishers to send us their submissions for the 2024 book packs. The selection panel are excited to meet next month.
Next month we will be celebrating NAIDOC week (2 - 9 July), a time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We welcome all Sydney-siders to join us at International Tower 3 at Barangaroo to celebrate with the ILF team, browse our books and hear from key speakers.
ILF would like to acknowledge the very generous support of Mindshare Australia & New Zealand and UnLtld who through their media networks have provided over $2M in pro bono of national advertising support for our new national fundraiser, Busking For Change.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation this End of Financial Year (EOFY). Click here to learn 5 reasons why we are working hard to support remote Communities with books in First Languages that inspire curiosity, spark imaginations, and promote a love for reading and learning. Just $10 puts one culturally relevant book into the hands of a child in a remote Community. Donate today.
Thank you for sharing our vision that reading opens doors.
Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen, Chief Executive Officer
SPOTLIGHTING | Word of the Month
To celebrate 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 magpie in Bundjalung language. Bundjalung Country is in the far North East Coast of NSW and the Southern Eastern coast of Queensland.
- magpie = wurguluhm
- Phonetics: were-ga-lum
- Download the audio.
News
ANNOUNCING | ILF Impact Report 2022
We are pleased to announce that our 2022 Impact Report is now available to view online. This document allows our organisation to reflect on how far we came in 2022, and what we wish to achieve in the future.
JOINING | Busking for Change | registrations still open!
Join 85 schools across Australia for this joyful and inclusive, Term 3 primary school fundraiser. There is nothing like a sing-along to bring out the best in kids and raise their spirits! Busking For Change engages kids in song, music, movement and language. Simply put, schools learn a song in English and Kriol and raise funds for the ILF.
ATTENDING | BookPeople Conference
We enjoyed connecting with booksellers and publishers at the BookPeople conference this month where we showcased how to get involved with our Book Supply program. We would also like to thank those that participated in the silent auction as we have raised over $3,000 which will help fund our programs.
SAVING | The Date for ILD!
In collaboration with Sydney Opera House, we are proud to present a 15-minute film celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day with stories and songs from remote Communities. Download a Save the Date banner to share within your networks. Registrations open 9 August.
CURATING | 2023 Reading Opens Doors Library | available now!
We are very excited to showcase our new 2023 Reading Opens Doors Library! This specially curated bookshelf includes 18 titles from some of Australia’s best First Nations authors such as Bruce Pascoe, Anita Heiss, Ash Barty as well as many more books for adults, young adults and children. Learn more here.
CLICKING | For More Stories
Work in Community
ATTENDING | Barunga Festival
This month our team travelled to the Barunga Festival in the Northern Territory for the launch of Shordi Krik, a commercial picture book written and illustrated by students from Barunga School with ILF lifetime Ambassador Justine Clarke. The book's text is a song about the local creek where Barunga kids like to swim and play, and is written in Kriol and English. An English language version of the song has been released through ABC Music.
LAUNCHING | Ngaanyatjarra Book
ILF Regional Coordinator Josie attended a book launch at Kalgoorlie Goldfields Language Centre this month, where three books have recently been translated into Ngaanyatjarra. At the launch, copies of Kata, Yarlipiri, Murti Tjine (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes), Kunkunarrikitjalu Watjala "Goodnight" (Say Goodnight), and Tjilku Kurlunypa (Hop a Little, Jump a Little) were given out to excited kids to take home!
PUBLISHING | Bilingual book about the seasonal changes of the Kimberley
Country Tells Us When… is one of our newest titles from Western Australia, and teaches readers all about how the Yawuru people read the seasons.
- Learn about the importance the book with authors and illustrators from the book.
- Shop Country Tells Us When...
TRANSLATING | Can You Dance? into Miriwoong
We are pleased that our first book in Miriwoong language, Wanja warrg nemben? (Can You Dance?) was published earlier this month. Miriwoong is a language of the East Kimberley region. This non-commercial book is a language version of Can You Dance? by Sally Morgan and Kathy Arbon, translated by Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Cultural Centre (Mirima Place for Talking). We are already discussing publishing more books with this organisation!
SHOPPING | The Full Range of ILF Books
Ambassador News
David Lawrence
Congratulations to ILF Ambassador David Lawrence on his new book, Ruby and the Pen, available to purchase from the 5th July. Ruby and the Pen is the story of a 12-year-old, cartoon-drawing girl who buys a pen from a mysterious stall at the local market.
A. Professor Wayne Quilliam
Curated by ILF Ambassador, A. Professor Wayne Quilliam, Connection is a walk-through experience that will see visitors explore the spiritual connections to land, water and sky through a vibrant and multi-sensory symphony of sound, light, colour, and aromas.
Anita Heiss AM
We would like to thank ILF Lifetime Ambassador Anita Heiss AM for her efforts in hosting a Great Book Swap at Avid Reader in West End, Queensland. We would also like to congratulate Anita as she will also celebrate the launch of her new novel Red Dust Running (Audible) at the event.
Special Thanks
We would like to thank Emu Trekkers who have been supporting us through funding from their various guided walks - nearly $100,000 so far! If you would like to join them for either a Blue Mountains (Three Sisters) or Royal National Park trek (and help the ILF) please book in via their website.
We are grateful for the support of Safewill. The ILF has partnered with Safewill to provide our supporters with the ability to write their will for just $180.
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.
Community Fundraisers
A heartfelt thank you to Nic, Ana and Daisy who have raised over $2000 by ‘dipping’ in the ocean once a week for a whole year. A dip means that at least their shoulders must be under the water. We are so grateful for their efforts and support! Learn more about the fundraiser.
We would like to thank The Commute who have been supporting the ILF consistently for the last three years by donating 2% of their profits to the ILF. As a result The Commute has raised an incredible amount of over $4,300!
A big thank you to Emilie, Marieke & Elise from Better Off Said who have raised over $8,500 for the ILF in the last two years and are supporting us this year with their special NAIDOC edition show. Purchase your tickets for their Melbourne show.