The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is inviting Australians to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day on September 3, with a free film and livestream produced in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House.
Now in its 18th year, Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) will be celebrated under the theme "Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations", honouring the power of storytelling to connect people across generations and inspire the future.
ILF CEO Ben Bowen said this year's theme is a "celebration of not only the stories shared, written down and published, but of all the storytellers across the generations that have fostered the education and intergenerational strength of countless generations".
Author, artist and performer Gregg Dreise said culture is "a person's strength".
"I have great pride in our beautiful Culture, and many of my ancestors proudly battled to pass down this beauty," the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi descendant said.
"The beautiful warmth of our Culture is something that I am truly proud of.
"For Now and Future Generations is a perfect reminder of whatever happens in life; through the good times and the bad; I strive to continue to pass down our beautiful Culture every day to ensure that it continues into the future."
The 19-minute ILD film will take audiences through three remote communities, highlighting diverse storytelling traditions.
In Ceduna and Koonibba (South Australia), young author Mia Speed will celebrate Wirangu language and Bush Medicine on Country. Viewers will also meet the student authors of Grinch det K'Taun Krok! (Grinch the K-Town Croc!), hear from Elders, and learn the creation story of Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine and Binjari, whilst in WA, Miss Daisy's knowledge of the Ngaanyatjarra seasons shows how stories keep kids strong.
Following the film, a livestream event from the Sydney Opera House will feature ILF Ambassadors Bianca Hunt, Gregg Dreise, Josh Pyke, Andy Griffiths and David Lawrence, alongside special guests Lucas Proudfoot, Teyha Makani, and students from Katherine High School and Redfern Jarjum College.
Students from Katherine High School worked with David Lawrence to create Grinch det K'Taun Krok!, a bilingual Kriol-English book published by the ILF. The students, travelling to Sydney for the celebration, said: "We feel nervous, excited and joy at the same time. It's going to be a long way trip from home."
Of the book, Mr Lawrence added: "Any story with a crocodile that quacks like a duck is a 'must read' for me! The boys came up with an ingenious 'twist' that took the story to an unexpected but explosively satisfying conclusion."
Mr Bowen said he was "most excited" to hear the stories behind the book.
"The ILF is always honoured to listen to and experience the humour, Language, Culture and unique voice of storytellers," he said.
"The ILF is honoured to be standing in partnership with Communities around Australia to support their ambition and aspirations to continue the legacy and connectedness, and we look forward to the future of opportunities centred in Culture."
Sydney Opera House Head of Screen, Stuart Buchanan, said each year, "our collaboration with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation deepens our understanding of the cultural power and creative brilliance that First Nations storytellers bring to the national conversation".
"Sydney Opera House's Digital Creative Learning program reaches more than 350,000 students across over 4,400 schools, and it's an honour to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices through our digital platforms for them to be heard now and for generations to come," he said.
Indigenous Literacy Day will be live streamed via the Sydney Opera House Creative Learning platform.
Registrations, which can be made online, are free and now open for all, including early learners, primary students, adults and organisations.
