3rd September 2025
Indigenous Literacy Day, held on 3rd September each year, is a national celebration of First Nations languages, stories and the fundamental right of every child to read and write in their mother tongue. The day is led by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising literacy levels in remote and very remote Indigenous communities across Australia.
At its heart, Indigenous Literacy Day is about recognising that language is culture – and that when a language is lost, an irreplaceable way of seeing and understanding the world goes with it. Australia is home to hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, many of which are endangered. This day calls on all Australians to support their preservation and celebrate the power of First Nations storytelling.
Why Language and Story Matter
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, language is far more than communication. It is connection — to Country, to ancestors, to identity. Stories passed down through generations carry knowledge about the land, the seasons, relationships and the laws that govern life. Honouring Indigenous languages is honouring the living culture they carry.
For students of all backgrounds, Indigenous Literacy Day is a wonderful entry point into First Nations cultures – a chance to discover how story, art and oral tradition work together as a profound system of learning and belonging.
Bring Indigenous Literacy Day to Life in Your Classroom
Aboriginal Incursions offers immersive, storytelling-rich workshops that are a natural fit for Indigenous Literacy Day. Our First Nations educators bring Dreaming stories, cultural art and language elements directly to your school, helping students connect with the tradition of Aboriginal storytelling in a hands-on, memorable way.
Our programs are available for early learning centres, primary and secondary schools, and can be tailored to tie into your literacy curriculum or cultural calendar.
Book a workshop for Indigenous Literacy Day or contact us to find the right program for your school.
