Indigenous Literacy Day

Indigenous Literacy Day is celebrated every year on September 7th. The holiday was established by the Australian Indigenous Literacy Foundation. It is hard to imagine that illiteracy still exists in the world today, but it is a reality. Currently, there are programs aimed at eradicating illiteracy in order to significantly improve the quality of people’s lives and give them the opportunity for a better future.

History

The first people who inhabited Australia possessed unique knowledge of culture, land, and society. For the Western world, such a concept of literacy is not always understood. This holiday motivates us to appreciate that each community has its own concepts of literacy. We must recognize that a promising future does not mean losing our roots. By celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day, we acknowledge the right of every nation to its own culture, education, and self-expression. Literacy is the first step for every child on their path to understanding the world.

Interesting Facts

• Education for children from remote areas of Australia is often limited to books, which may not reflect the culture and history of the country.
• A lack of resources is the most common cause of low literacy levels.
• The best way to increase literacy is through reading, but literature must be accessible to all indigenous peoples.
• In literature, Aboriginal children in Australia should receive comprehensive information about their history and culture, and should also have comprehensive access to resources with such data.
• To date, indigenous people make up a little more than 3% of the population of Australia.

How to take part

Consider partnering with the Australian Indigenous Literacy Foundation, visit the organization’s website, research the information, and see how you can help. Take a proactive stance on equal access to literacy for all. Spread the word on social networks.

When is Indigenous Literacy Day in 2024?

Indigenous Literacy Day is observed on September 7 each year.

Observations