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The Indigenous Literacy Foundation's biggest celebration of the year!

Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) warmly invites everyone to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day on Wednesday 3 September 2025.

Indigenous Literacy Day is proudly produced and presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House. The key event in the ILF’s calendar includes a free FILM and LIVESTREAM celebration on Wednesday 3 September at 10.30am AEST. 

This year’s theme: Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations, recognises the power of storytelling to connect us across generations and to shape the future. Gregg Dreise, author, artist, performer and proud ILF Ambassador says, “Yarma nginda/hi everyone, I wanted to share my thoughts on what this year's theme Strength in Our Stories:For Now & Future Generations means to me. 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 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. Gabayindah/ Thank you.”

The 19-minute FILM will take viewers on an adventure through 3 remote Aboriginal Communities to learn about the diverse ways storytelling makes their Communities strong. You’ll journey to Ceduna and Koonibba in South Australia to learn from young author Mia Speed, celebrate Wirangu language, and make Bush Medicine on Country. Viewers will also meet student authors of Grinch det K’Taun Krok!, hear from Elders, and learn the creational Dreaming story of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge in Katherine and Binjari and go out on Country, learn about the Ngaanyatjarra seasons, and how Miss Daisy’s knowledge and stories are keeping Warakurna kids strong in Western Australia.

Directly following the film, the stream will click over to a livestream from the Sydney Opera House for a celebration with ILF Ambassadors Bianca Hunt, Gregg Dreise, Josh Pyke, Andy Griffiths, David Lawrence and special guests Lucas Proudfoot, Teyha Makani and students from Katherine High School and Redfern Jarjum College.

Students from Katherine High School who worked with ILF Ambassador David Lawrence to write and illustrate a bilingual book in Kriol and English, Grinch det K’Taun Krok! (Grinch the K-Town Croc!) published by the ILF, will travel to the celebration in Sydney. David Lawrence says, "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.”

When asked how the boys felt about coming to Sydney they said, “We feel nervous, excited and joy at the same time. It’s going to be a long way trip from home.”

ILF CEO Ben Bowen says, “This year we celebrate the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s initiative, Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) for the 18th year! This year's theme Strength in Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations 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. 

“I am most excited to hear the stories from the students behind the book, Grinch det K'Taun Krok!. The ILF is always honoured to listen to and experience the humour, Language, Culture and unique voice of storytellers.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.”

Stuart Buchanan, Sydney Opera House Head of Screen, says, "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.”

Indigenous Literacy Day will be livestreamed via the Sydney Opera House Creative Learning platform and registrations are free and open now to all, including early learners, primary students,adults and organisations. Once registered, you will be sent a link that will become available to watch on Wednesday 3 September at 10.30am AEST.

Register here: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/form/ild

Watch the 2025 ILD Reel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxZmOoLHeJg

Another great way for your school or organisation to get involved is to hold your own Busking For Change or Great Book Swap fundraiser after you watch the Livestream! Visit  www.ilf.org.au for other ways to get involved and celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day.

About us:

About the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.  The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. They are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.

In 2024 the ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s or young adult literature.

About Indigenous Literacy Day

Founded by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation 18 years ago, Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD), is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures, and Languages, held on the first Wednesday of September - this year Wednesday 3 September 2025. ILD shares the diversity of First Nations Languages and Cultures with audiences across Australia.

 

#ILD2025    #IndigenousLiteracyDay   #StrengthInOurStories   #ReadingOpensDoors

Contact details:

Jackie Evans, ILF Publicist 

Mobile: 0407 776 222 

E: [email protected]