The Indigenous Literacy Foundation collaborates with the Sydney Opera House in celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day with Stories, Cultures, and Languages with two exciting Indigenous Literacy Day events featuring ambassadors Jessica Mauboy, Gregg Dreise, Justine Clarke, Josh Pyke, and Co-Patron June Oscar AO on September 7, 2022.

Indigenous Literacy Day was conceived by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation 11 years ago to celebrate First Nations peoples’ rich and diverse stories, cultures, and languages. It is a community-led national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia.

2022 is the first year of UNESCO’s Decade of Indigenous Languages. Indigenous Literacy Day celebrates and promotes the revitalisation and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages now and for future generations of Indigenous children.

“Stories have always been such an important part of my life. As a child growing up in Darwin, stories were told through music and song and others in books or through works of art. These stories have shaped how I view the world and have hugely influenced my life as a songwriter and performer. I’m deeply passionate about supporting the work of the ILF and am honoured to be a part of a special day that celebrates and shares how stories and languages are joyfully shared in song.” said ILF Ambassador Jessica Mauboy. 

A two-part event, with the first featuring a lively group of children in remote Milikapiti and Jilkminggan, in the Northern Territory and ILF Ambassadors Jessica Mauboy and Gregg Dreise in a 20-minute digital story, will be available through the Opera House’s Digital Creative Learning programme free to schools, organisations and the general public.

The second, invitation-only live performance event featuring Jessica Mauboy, Gregg Dreise, Justine Clarke, Josh Pyke, and Co-Patron June Oscar OA, will also take place at the Sydney Opera House.