Raising Readers

Reading at Home | “Indigenous Literacy Day”

Our literacy focus this year is reading. While many of us read on different platforms and enjoy the different formats that reading is presented to us in, it’s important that we share our reading journeys with our learners at home too.

This fortnight’s focus is Indigenous Literacy Day.

This year, like every other year, the 1st of September marks Indigenous Literacy Day, which is organised by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. This day is significant, as it is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and the cultural connection that stories bring to Country.

Indigenous Literacy Day also provides an opportunity to have frank discussions about the specific learning needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and it also provides a platform to share those experiences to determine better, and more effective outcomes for the school, as a whole.

So, mark your calendars and enjoy the celebration online, where there will be over 40 Indigenous storytellers, reading and providing insights to their stories. I am particularly looking forward to “Wamparla Ampira” (Possums & Tall Trees), which will be read out in both Arabana and English, by Aboriginal Elder – Thanthi Syd Strangways. This story is particularly special, as it’s about the continuation of the Arabana language, whilst also highlighting the need to care for Country. You can access the story here on the 1st - https://www.ild.org.au/stories/wamparla-apira

As always, these stories highlight the need for us to actively pick out and read books written from Indigenous perspectives.

Keep Reading,

Ecehan B. Gulbayrak

ecehan.Gulbayrak@education.vic.gov.au

PS: This week, to mark Indigenous Literacy Day, I have been watching the animated book - “Tudei en Lontaim,” by Stella Raymond. The physical book itself is written in both English and Kriol, which is the Aboriginal language of Binjari. The book is about Aboriginal life now and then, and it is particularly focused on importance of keeping the Kriol language alive. A very easy, yet touching read.