The Indigenous Literacy Foundation funds and supports a number of literacy related
projects and initiatives. Initially, these projects are identified by community
members and may include developing local children’s stories in community, recording
local stories and developing local resources.
Jarjums Yarning - North Stradbroke Kids’ Literacy Projects
On Tuesday 25 October the Quandamooka people of North Stradbroke Island celebrated
the launch of two books written and illustrated by the Jarjums (children) at Dunwich
State School. The two books, published by The Indigenous Literacy Foundation, are
What is a disaster I hear you say which dealt with the kids’ views on natural
disasters and Alphabet Antics, an A-Z book about the landmarks on Stradbroke
Island.
What Is A Disaster I Hear You Say was developed by Volunteering Qld - Aboriginal
& Torres Strait Islander Natural Disaster Resilience Project as a collaborative
partner of Jarjum Yarning Project and the two books were published by
Kids'
Own Publishing.
The books arose from an initiative that aimed to get the whole community engaged
in literacy and to ensure the presence of Indigenous books at the school, playgroups,
learning centre, Yulu-Burri-Ba and in children’s homes.
Founder Suzy Wilson launched the books, along with the Dunwich State School staff
and students and guests including, the State Member for Cleveland Dr Mark Robinson,
emergency services, Rotary Governor Debbie James and rotary representatives, as
well as representatives from The State Library, non-profit organisations, community
and elders.
Jennie Schoof, Aboriginal Community Resilience Project Coordinator, said that the
students worked hard to develop the stories and ‘it felt amazing to watch their
beautiful smiles and such pride in the step. What a boost to celebrating literacy
for the island. All of the community were so excited about the work that the students
did.’
Honey Ant Readers 2010-2011
The Honey Ant Readers is a project running in Central Australia which provides language
books in the local forms of Alternative English Languages (AEL) (Indigenous Children
are often fluent in two or three Indigenous languages as well as a mixture of AEL
and SAE called Kriol. The project is designed to strengthen children’s awareness
of language and interaction with AEL as they enter school. The project promotes
familiarisation with books, language and the reading process.
GurrindinDalmi Community Based Play 2010-2011
This project brought together the Katherine Regional Arts with Katherine Indigenous
community members to produce installation art and a play which records a significant
local Dreaming story about GurrindinDalmi Rainbow Serpent who lives in caves under
the Katherine Township. The project builds strategies to embed Indigenous knowledge
across the broader community. The script development and play involve opportunities
for young Indigenous people to learn some of their own language, as well as to develop
further their skills in Standard Australian English. This is a combined community
project with financial support and other contributions from several sources.
Leonie Norrington Project 2010
This project ran in Maningrida and involved working with community members to develop
a manuscript for a children’s book. An Illustrator visited the community to facilitate
illustration workshops – the product of which was developed to illustrate the book.
The project involved children working with parents and grandparents to produce a
book written in Standard Australian English, with a desired outcome that the children’s
sense of ownership and responsibility for their book would encourage them to read
it and enhance their literacy skills. When the book is complete, a publisher will
be approached. Leonie Norrington is an ILF Ambassador and the author of children’s
books ‘Barrambi Kids’ series, ‘You and Me: Our Place’ and ‘The Devil You Know’.
She has workshopped with several Arnhem communities to produce these books.
Junjuwa Women’s House 2010
The Junjuwa Women’s House is a community driven project which began when a group
of Bunaba women from the Fitzroy Valley region of WA decided to build a program
where they could meet on a regular basis to develop supportive friendships and to
improve and increase their skills in interest areas including: painting fabric and
making saleable items, learning sewing, having lessons in small business management
skills like financial literacy and budget management, and learning sign language
to support deaf community members. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation supports the
Junjuwa Women’s House financially as well as by providing some art materials. The
women hope eventually to develop a ‘cottage’ industry to ensure the sustainability
and autonomy of their group.
Tablelands Ringers Stories 2010-2011
The objective of this project is to record the stories of Ringers and other Indigenous
station workers from around the Barkly Tablelands from the late 60s and 70s, and
to include young people in the process and technologies of recording. The stories
will be recorded in word, verbal and pictorial forms and will provide a purpose
for interacting with SAE and AEL. The older members of the community fear that the
younger are in danger of forgetting the significant contributions made to the development
of the Australian cattle industry and their history; these stories will be added
to the recorded histories of the Barkly Tablelands.