Seven books published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation have been selected for the inaugural IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) announced this week that seven of its Community publishing books were selected for a prestigious new international collection celebrating outstanding children's books that preserve, strengthen and promote Indigenous and endangered languages.
The IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages is a joint initiative of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and UNESCO, developed as part of global efforts to protect linguistic diversity and strengthen the status of Indigenous and endangered languages.
Following a worldwide call for submissions from publishers, librarians and institutions, an international selection committee comprising IBBY and UNESCO representatives and experts in children's and young adult literature selected titles for the inaugural Collection.
The Collection was officially presented on August 6, at the opening of the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa, Canada.
The seven ILF-published titles selected include, Ngirringirri Kirijinga Japalinga (Shining Little Star), NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, Winthali (Fire), Kala (Colour), Ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-nggul (We belong to the land, we belong to the sea), Buga Yanu Junba , Country Tells Us When..., and Tiwi Girl Hunters.
"We are honoured to have been part of the inaugural collection, the first of its kind in the world, recognising 'remarkable books' in Indigenous and endangered languages from around the world," said ILF chief executive Ben Bowen.
"To have ILF titles included in this collection fills me with pride, knowing the acknowledgement and recognition it gives to the incredible work being done by Indigenous Communities across Australia to bring their prized storytelling and Languages into the global space.
"This collection, launched during the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages, is a celebration and acknowledgement of the work of everyday Communities breathing life into their Languages."
Mr Bowen said the "remarkable" books "ensure that future generations have access to the words, stories and cultures of their grandparents, great-grandparents and generations before them".
"A collection like this can only continue to grow each year, and these books send a powerful message to young First Nations children around the world: you belong here. Your world is worth knowing. Your Language is worth learning," he said.
Three team members from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation - Mr Bowen, Tictac Moore (Head of Programs) and Cindy Manfong (Publishing Projects Editor) - are in attendance at the IBBY World Congress to represent the Foundation and celebrate this incredible collection of books from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities for the important recognition of their work.
Books selected for the IBBY-UNESCO Collection will also feature in its official catalogue and be exhibited at the 40th IBBY World Congress before travelling to international book fairs and exhibitions.
The permanent Collection will ultimately be housed at the UNESCO Library at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The initiative forms part of UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), which seeks to draw global attention to the critical importance of preserving, revitalising and promoting Indigenous languages.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Books featured in the IBBY-UNESCO Collection are also available through the ILF online shop and all good bookstores.
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