Indigenous Literacy Day with the Library

Wednesday 7 September is Indigenous Literacy Day. This year is the first year of UNESCO’s decade long celebration of the diversity of Indigenous Languages. In Australia this means highlighting and preserving our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. You can celebrate our diverse languages in various ways, some ideas might be:

Learning about some wonderful First Nations authors.
Reading a First Nations picture book to your kids.
Visiting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website and attending their free online event with Jessica Maulboy on the 7th of September.
Donating to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Your local library has some fantastic books for children written by First Nations Authors

Aunty Joy Murphy is a senior Wurrundjeri Elder and is a person who has worked tirelessly for her community over many years. She is a descendant of William Barak (1824-1903) who was an activist for his people, protesting the unjust treatment of the people from Coranderrk Aboriginal station.

She was awarded the Order of Australia in 2006 for her services to the community and has held many important positions including an honorary Professor at Swinburne University; ambassador for Breast Screen Victoria, Australia Day Victoria and an Animis Ambassador for Zoos Victoria. She has been a member of the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria and a trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Aunty Joy Murphy has written two books, including Welcome to Country in which Aunty Joy extends the traditional Wurundgeri welcome to you, the reader. The images by Lisa Kennedy brilliantly capture the gentle spirit of the book.

Wilam: a Birrarung Story is another story of Wurundjeri Culture from Aunty Joy about Birrarung (Yarra river) as it wends its way to Wilam (home). The River keeper Andrew Kelly and Lisa Kennedy also help tell this Indigenous and geographical story.

Gregg Dreise is a multitalented person – a storyteller, teacher, musician, and artist. He grew up in South West Queensland, descended from proud Kamilaroi Murris on his mother’s side and from the Yuwaalaraay people through his Grandmother. Gregg has written several children’s books, which he imbues with his positive spirit.

Hello and Welcome is a joyful picture book celebrates the diversity that we have in Australia today. Different colours, different people, together in harmony.

My Culture and Me Tells a heartfelt and stirring story about being part of a sustaining Indigenous culture. Told in rhythmic poetic form.

Awesome Emu Is a colourful book which tells the traditional story of the Djiraboo Dinewah (Milky Way).

Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Adam Briggs is book is a celebration of past and present Indigenous legends, as well as emerging generations, and at its heart honours the oldest continuous culture on Earth.