Today is Indigenous Literacy Day (6 September), an opportunity to promote Stories, Cultures, and Language, and to improve literacy outcomes for First Nations kids.
Literacy provides a fundamental step of building context, comprehension and understanding, whether it is written, visual or auditory. For kids who miss that foundational step in their literacy journey, it has a lifelong impact.
How do we promote Indigenous literacy at Monash Health?
Teams across Monash Health help to promote literacy for First Nations kids when they visit our services:
- To promote literacy from birth, the Aboriginal Midwifery team are including a copy of Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin in the Bubup Bags, which are filled with newborn essentials and given to the parents of all Aboriginal babies who are born at Monash Health.
- Our MCH School has done fantastic work alongside our Healthy Koorie Kids clinic to promote better literacy outcomes for kids in out-of-home care.
- Our Aboriginal Health and Engagement team works alongside Aboriginal Controlled Organisations to promote First Languages, Stories and Cultures in our placemaking.
How can I celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day?
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) will present a 15‑minute film celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day with stories and songs from remote Communities, hosted by the Sydney Opera House.
Following the film, viewers are invited to stay online for a 45‑minute livestream celebration directly from the Sydney Opera House, with a star‑studded team of ILF Ambassadors ‑ Jessica Mauboy, Justine Clarke, Gregg Dreise, Josh Pyke and more! You can register now to watch via livestream from the Sydney Opera House.
Approved by Dan Carter, Chief Aboriginal Health Advisor