Emu Trekkers is committed to improving Indigenous literacy rates in Australia and is proud to partner with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to make this a reality.
Since commencing hikes in September 2017, Emu Trekkers has donated $75,000 AUD, or the equivalent of 7,500 culturally-appropriate books, delivered into the hands of children in remote Indigenous communities in Australia.
Emu Trekkers is committed to improving Indigenous literacy rates in Australia and is proud to partner with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to make this a reality.
Since commencing hikes in September 2017, Emu Trekkers has donated $75,000 AUD, or the equivalent of 7,500 culturally-appropriate books, delivered into the hands of children in remote Indigenous communities in Australia.
How is the money used?
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation's core business is about providing resources to help Indigenous Australians develop a love of books and at the same time, increase literacy rates.
They not only give children thousands of new, culturally appropriate books - with a focus on early literacy and first language- but they also run programs to inspire the communities to tell and publish their own stories. Many of these stories, such as Nginingawila Ngirramini – Our Story, are written by the students themselves in their first language and English. These stories focus on their heroes, sacred places and favourite memories.
As the National Indigenous Language Survey has shown, growing up bilingual or with a good knowledge of other languages, not just English, is an advantage for Indigenous Australians. “Far from being ‘irrelevant in the modern world’”, the Survey reports, “the old languages are providing crucial ways of understanding the present and are assisting Indigenous groups to survive as distinct peoples with a unique culture into the future.”
At the time of European arrival, there were 250 distinct Indigenous language groups in Australia. Now, only around 145 of those languages are still spoken and many are on the endangered languages list and are at risk of being lost forever. On global scales, Australia is singled out as the continent where languages are disappearing fastest.
Emu Trekkers' donations go towards the Indigenous Literacy Foundation's Book Supply program, with over $75,000 AUD, or the equivalent of 7,500 culturally-appropriate books, being provided to date.
They not only give children thousands of new, culturally appropriate books - with a focus on early literacy and first language- but they also run programs to inspire the communities to tell and publish their own stories. Many of these stories, such as Nginingawila Ngirramini – Our Story, are written by the students themselves in their first language and English. These stories focus on their heroes, sacred places and favourite memories.
As the National Indigenous Language Survey has shown, growing up bilingual or with a good knowledge of other languages, not just English, is an advantage for Indigenous Australians. “Far from being ‘irrelevant in the modern world’”, the Survey reports, “the old languages are providing crucial ways of understanding the present and are assisting Indigenous groups to survive as distinct peoples with a unique culture into the future.”
At the time of European arrival, there were 250 distinct Indigenous language groups in Australia. Now, only around 145 of those languages are still spoken and many are on the endangered languages list and are at risk of being lost forever. On global scales, Australia is singled out as the continent where languages are disappearing fastest.
Emu Trekkers' donations go towards the Indigenous Literacy Foundation's Book Supply program, with over $75,000 AUD, or the equivalent of 7,500 culturally-appropriate books, being provided to date.
"We simply could not achieve our work in remote communities without the ongoing support of organisations like Emu Trekkers, who share our vision of equity of opportunity. We are all working towards the bigger outcome of giving children in remote communities the same opportunities that children in cities have: access to education, jobs and wellbeing."
KAREN WILLIAMS, CEO, INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION
KAREN WILLIAMS, CEO, INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION