Yamandhu marang, Happy 2024 and we hope you all had a safe and relaxing break.
On 26 January, we took the time to reflect on the incredible strengths and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities across Australia throughout our shared history. On this day, and every day, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation acknowledges First Nations Peoples' unbroken connections to land, sea and sky and pay our respects to Elders and all First Nations peoples.
Our thoughts are with Far North Queensland, Wujal Wujal and surrounding Aboriginal Communities needing support as a result of the ongoing devastating floods.
We would like to thank all of our supporters who donated to our Festive Appeal, as a result we raised over $20,000 which will go towards our programs in remote Communities for 2024. These include:
- gifting 136,800 culturally relevant books into 430 remote Communities
- strengthening our relationships with the 107 playgroups we are working with through our Book Buzz program
- publishing 30 books representing 21 languages through our Community Publishing
- and hosting two Create Initiatives and one Pamela Lofts Bequest project
In regard to events, it's not too early to save Wednesday 4 September for your Indigenous Literacy Day celebration and we are currently planning our two key fundraisers, the Great Book Swap and Busking for Change. More to come!
Mandaang guwu,
Ben Bowen (Wiradjuri/Gandagarra), Chief Executive Officer
SPOTLIGHTING | Word of the Month
To celebrate second year of UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages, each month we encourage readers to learn a new word in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language.
This month's word is are you well? in Wiradjuri language! Wiradjuri Country is located in central New South Wales.
- Are you well? = yamandhu marang
- Phonetics: yama-do mar-rang
- Download the audio
PARTICIPATED | Yabun Festival | Friday 26 January 2024
The ILF participated in Yabun on Gadigal Country. Yabun is the largest, annual, one-day gathering and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia, held on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people. We are so grateful to be able to connect with other First Nations people and organisations on this important day. Thank you to everyone who supported our stall.
Connecting Up this 26 January 2024
Learn about the importance of January 26th, ways to engage and how the ILF uses this day to connect with other First Nations people and organisations on Gadigal Country.
ANNOUNCING | New Tote Bags - Available Now!
We are pleased to announce that we have four new tote bags with illustrations from Country Tells Us When…. The totes showcase the ngamagarri (white cockatoo), the yari (humpback whale), jurru (snake), and an illustration of Buru (Country). Read more about the illustrations here.
SEEKING | Book Buzz Co‑ordinator
The ILF is seeking a Book Buzz Coordinator to join our small team based in Sydney’s CBD! The position requires strong coordination and relationship building skills to work with the Book Buzz Manager to coordinate the program for young children in remote Communities. First Nations candidates are encouraged to apply.
CLICKING | For More Stories
Work in Community
ANNOUNCING | Can You Dance? Book Buzz Kit
We are pleased to announce that we have a new Book Buzz kit available to remote playgroups this year. The Can You Dance? kit was chosen as this kit focuses on gross motor skill development including dance and movement elements. It also includes other fun elements such as finger puppets, musical instruments and a parachute!
COMING | Something exciting...
One of our most beloved books and characters, Moli det bigibigi, is the first ever ILF picture book to have a sequel!. Stay tuned for Moli bin git stak which will be available to purchase next month!
Ambassador News
Jessica Mauboy
Congratulations to ILF Ambassador Jessica Mauboy on her brand new single, ‘Forget You’ which is out now. We would also like to congratulate Jess on her new album, 'Yours Forever' which will be available soon.
Anita Heiss
A big congratulations to ILF Ambassador Anita Heiss on the success of Tiddas, a play based on her much loved novel which was held at the Belvoir St. Theatre as part of the Sydney Festival's Blak Out Program.
Special Thanks
Thinking of writing your will? The ILF has partnered with Safewill and will be hosting a webinar for Free Wills Week commencing on 18 March 2024 - save the date!
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.
Every year the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation runs a Final Hour Appeal offering the opportunity for their staff to donate the final hour of their working day for the year to their major charity partner, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Staff were also given the option of giving their work Christmas gift to the ILF. The combined donation raised over $18,328 which will support our Book Supply program.
Community Fundraisers
We would like to thank Francesca who are supporting our Foundation by generously donating $20 from every purchase of their Awareness Bracelet to the ILF for the next 12 months. “We really wanted to raise funds for a charity that was supporting First Nations Communities and making a difference, especially in young peoples’ lives.”
An enormous thank you to Kinokuniya Books for providing us the opportunity for the second year in a row for Festive Gift Wrapping during the festive period. It was a fantastic result where we raised over $16,800 while engaging with the delightful customers of Kinokuniya. We would also like to thank our incredible 248 volunteers who were amazing to work with every step of the way!
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) acknowledges First Nations peoples and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and honour the sharing of traditional stories passed down through generations. In particular, ILF acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which our head office is based in Sydney.