Inspired by this year’s theme, Country Is Our Teacher, the event is being livestreamed to audiences across Australia, inviting them to celebrate First Nations peoples’ stories, cultures and languages.

Presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House, and hosted by award-winning children’s performer and ILF Ambassador Lucas Proudfoot, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever.

“It is going to be a cracker!” Proudfoot says.

“Country Is Our Teacher sets the tone perfectly, with stories, music, stars and Country all coming together, from an amazing film from the Central Desert and learning language along the way, to a special book launch and performances from some incredible artists.”

The short 15-minute film takes viewers on an adventure into Australia’s red centre, where they’ll learn from Niningka and Chris, two young Aboriginal people from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and Nyirripi in the Northern Territory, as they explore Warlpiri and Arrernte language, plants, animals, culture and caring for Country.

As the children share and showcase their Communities and their unique connections to Country, audiences will learn about life on Warlpiri Country in Nyirripi and words in Warlpiri language, and will later be transported to Mpartntwe to learn words in Arrernte with children and Elders. 

Following the film, the livestream will take audiences on an exploration of Sky Country, with ILF Ambassadors and astrophysicists Dr Kirsten Banks and Krystal De Napoli, delving into the connections between the stars, Sky Country, science, culture and storytelling.

“Krystal and I are going to take curious minds on a journey of the night sky to reveal constellations they may not have seen before, and if they have seen them, they won't look at them the same way again," Dr Banks says.

The celebration will also mark the launch of My Walk Through the Seasons on Ngaanyatjarra Country, a bilingual English and Ngaanyatjarra picture book written by respected Warakurna elder, Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward.

“I live on the country my family walked for generations before me,” Tjuparntarri Ward says,

“Mum said I was born in Pirriya-Pirriya time, when the sweet flowers were growing.

“Every season brings something special. Rain, Wind, Fire, Sun. My Country changes, but it’s always home.”

Music will then take centre stage with ILF Ambassadors DOBBY and Josh Pyke performing this year’s Busking For Change song, MINYAN NGABANGKA (What’s in the Water?).

Co-written by DOBBY, First Nations artist Kelsey Iris and children from Brewarrina, the song features Murrawarri language and celebrates children’s connection to water, Country and community.

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. PHOTO: Joseph Mayers

ILF CEO Ben Bowen says it's important that we come together on days like Indigenous Literacy Day to think, reflect and celebrate stories, cultures and languages.

“At the ILF, we have an incredible privilege that many Communities trust us with their stories, and it is our honour to showcase them to Australia and to the world.

“The knowledges celebrated in this year's ILD reminds us that Country is our greatest teacher and invites us to pay respect to the diverse cultures across this vast continent.”

Stuart Buchanan, Sydney Opera House Head of Screen, says his organisation is immensely proud of its ongoing collaboration with Indigenous Literacy Day.

“Sydney Opera House's Digital Creative Learning program reaches more than 350,000 students across over 4400 schools as well as libraries, public spaces, community centres and homes,

“This will be our fourth year streaming the event, bringing stellar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and voices to audiences everywhere."

Popular TV presenter, MC and Education specialist Shelley Ware – who's been an ILF Ambassador for more than 10 years, has created the teacher notes for ILD. 

Her easy-to-follow and astute Indigenous Literacy Day teacher resources are aimed at helping guide your students’ learning around the day.

The free Indigenous Literacy Day Film and Livestream begins at 10.30am AEST on Wednesday, September 2 and will be available to watch on demand.

Schools, workplaces, libraries, families and audiences of all ages across Australia are invited to join from wherever they are.

Register for the free film and livestream here.

Watch the 2026 ILD Reel here.