Indigenous Literacy Day: Strength in Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations

This year, Indigenous Literacy Day takes place on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, and is a national celebration of First Nations stories, cultures, and languages. The 2025 theme Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations reflects  the enduring power of storytelling to connect the present with the future and inspire across generations.

Produced by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) in partnership with the Sydney Opera House, this day continues its proud legacy of cultural celebration and grassroots advocacy.

What Happening This Year

Free Film & Live Stream A special 17-minute film will take viewers on an immersive journey into three remote  Aboriginal communities, highlighting how storytelling:

o            Keeps ancestral stories alive,

o            Inspires the creation of new narratives, and

o            Ensures these stories are passed on to future generations.

This film, along with a live stream event featuring performances from the Sydney Opera House, is available for free. Registrations opened on 16 July 2025.

Community Celebrations

In-person and virtual celebrations will be hosted across schools, libraries, community centres, and workplaces. For example:

o            Southern Cross University is hosting events on Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, and Lismore campuses.

o            A special Morning Tea + Film event is planned at St Francis College, Milton, Queensland—featuring a screening, livestreamed Opera House content, and opportunities to support the ILF through donations.

Creative Team Challenge

Life Without Barriers is launching a “Hook into Books” Team Challenge, inviting groups to engage in fun, creative literacy tasks such as:

o            Reading and sharing stories by First Nations authors,

o            Writing and drawing inspired by Dreamtime tales,

o            Designing posters or poems featuring native Australian animals.

Why This Day Matters

o      Bridging Gaps in Literacy: Many children in remote Indigenous communities lack access to books and literacy resources. Indigenous Literacy Day spotlights this gap and supports efforts to bridge it through culturally relevant storytelling.

o      Celebrating Culture & Language: This event underscores the central role of narratives and language in fostering cultural strength, identity, and resilience for both today and the future.

o     Sustaining Cultural Continuity: By sharing stories—old and new—this day ensures that culture isn't just preserved; it's lived, reinterpreted, and passed on.

o      Collective Support: Everyone—individuals, schools, organisations, and businesses—can participate by attending events, donating, holding book swaps, or fundraising to support ILF’s impactful work.

How You Can Join In

Watch & Register - Sign up for the free film and livestream from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation or Sydney Opera House websites.

Attend Local Events - Join sessions at schools, universities, libraries, or community centres—like the Morning Tea event in Brisbane.

Host Your Own Gathering - Organise storytelling sessions, book swaps, or creative projects in your community.

Take the Team Challenge  - Participate in fun literacy-based activities through Life Without Barriers’ initiative.

Spread Awareness - Use social media, newsletters, or word-of-mouth to highlight the theme and importance of the day.

Donate or Fundraise - Support ILF’s programs that deliver books and literacy resources to remote communities.

Indigenous Literacy Day 2025 is not just a date on the calendar—it’s a celebration of storytelling’s power to build resilience, connection, and hope across time. This year's theme—Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations—invites us all to listen, learn, and ensure these rich narratives continue to inspire.

Learn more: https://www.ilf.org.au/ild