Indigenous Literacy Day is celebrated annually on 7th September every year in Australia and it is a day dedicated to the indigenous community of Australia known as Aboriginals.
This day is started as an initiative by the Australia's Indigenous Literacy Foundation which is organization which works towards improving the lives of indigenous people of Australia through literacy programs.
As we know that during the colonization of Australia the indigenous people of Australia called as Aboriginals suffered the most as they were highly discriminated and brutally killed. And even after so many years now in a democratic country the indigenous people of Australia are lagging behind so to address this issue this day was founded.
| Event | Indigenous Literacy Day |
|---|---|
| Date | September 7, 2022 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Significance | Honors and promotes educating Australia's Indigenous people |
| Observed by | Australia |
Indigenous Literacy Day History:
Through scientific research it is believed that the indigenous people of Australia came to Australia about 50,000 years ago. And it was very late in modern human history when we discovered Australia.
The discovery of Australia also led to colonization of Australia and as a result British came victorious and they started settling in Australia. And initially they started colonizing Australia with their prisoners especially after they lost to America in the American Revolutionary War. And thus during this colonization several of indigenous people of Australia which are called as Aboriginals were brutally massacred and was forced to shift.
In this way the Anoriginsos which remained also were largely discriminated by the authorities and as a result they became isolated from the rest of the community in Australia and were forced to stay inland of Australia and because of this indigenous people today are one of the least educated and wealthy community in Australia today.
Then in 2004 Suzy Wilson, owner of Riverbend Books in Brisbane, launches the Riverbend Readers’ Challenge to raise funds for literacy programs for indigenous communities. And this movement grew when in 2007 it became the Indigenous Literwcy project in partnership with Fred Foundation. Then in 2011 this foundation was founded.
Indigenous Literacy Day Significance:
The state and condition of Aboriginals in Australia is a great example of income inequality. As they are among the most illiterate and poor community of Australia and we sol know the reasons behind it are centuries of oppression caused to them by the colonizers.
And even though today Australia is a democracy where everyone has equal rights including the Aboriginals but they still face discrimination by some people even today and this this day is also used as a day to increase awareness to the people to treat indigenous people with equal respect.
The Australia's Indigenous Literacy Foundation aims on this day to also raise as much as funds possible which is required in helping the Aboriginals community so that they can also experience equal prosperity as other Australians. Hence they helps in getting education for them.
And we all know the importance of education in our life and it is a fundamental right to so no one should be left behind in it which refers to indigenous community. Indigenous Literacy Day also advocates people’s right to an education in the languages they speak at home. It celebrates indigenous freedom of expression and participation in public life just as they are.
Indigenous Literacy Day Activities:
First try to raise awareness about both the issue of literacy and about this day so that more and more people get to know about it as still most of the people are unaware regarding it and hence proper awareness regarding this is absolutely necessary.
If you are really moved by the idea or think that you should play a larger role regarding solving this issue then try to volunteer for the organization or atleast try to be in contact with this organization to help them in any way possible if you can.
Well you don't have to do all of that for this noble cause instead you can play a larger role in it by simply donating some amount of fund to the organization thus helping them to carry out their operations regarding indigenous literacy programs.
Most Searched FAQs on Indigenous Literacy Day:
1. When is Indigenous Literacy Day is observed?
Indigenous Literacy Day is observed annually on 7th September in Australia.
2. What are the indigenous people of Australia called?
The indigenous people of Australia are called as Aboriginals.
3. What is the literacy rate of Australia?
Australia has a 99% literacy rate. However, only 15% of adults read at the highest level (four or five).