Indigenous Literacy Day returns on Wednesday 2 September 2026, bringing together children, Elders, authors, musicians, artists and scientists for a national celebration of First Nations storytelling.

Presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House, this year’s theme is Country Is Our Teacher.

Families, schools and libraries around Australia can join a free Film and Livestream from 10.30am AEST, with the program also available to watch on demand afterwards.

Learning from Country

At the heart of this year’s program is the idea that learning does not only happen in classrooms or books.

Country carries stories, language, culture, science and knowledge that have been passed from generation to generation.

In the Indigenous Literacy Day film, audiences will meet Niningka and Chris, two young Aboriginal people from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and Nyirripi in the Northern Territory.

They explore Warlpiri and Arrernte language, along with local plants and animals, culture and ways of caring for Country.

It gives children around Australia an opportunity to hear First Nations languages being spoken and to learn how knowledge of Country connects with everyday life.

Looking up at Sky Country

The livestream then heads into the night sky with ILF Ambassadors and astrophysicists Dr Kirsten Banks and Krystal De Napoli.

Together they will explore Sky Country and the links between stars, 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,” Dr Banks says.

For families with children interested in space or science, it is also a reminder that there are different ways of understanding and describing the world around us.

A new bilingual picture book

Indigenous Literacy Day will also see the launch of  My Walk Through the Seasons on Ngaanyatjarra Country, a bilingual English and Ngaanyatjarra picture book by respected Warakurna Elder Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward.

The book follows the changing seasons on Country and the knowledge and memories connected with them.

“My Country changes, but it’s always home,” Daisy says.

Books such as this can introduce children to First Nations languages while showing that seasons, landscapes and ways of understanding Country can vary greatly across Australia.

Music, language and community

Music is another part of this year’s celebration.

ILF Ambassadors DOBBY and Josh Pyke will perform the 2026 Busking For Change song, MINYAN NGABANGKA (What’s in the Water?).

The song was co-written by DOBBY, First Nations artist Kelsey Iris and children from Brewarrina. It includes Murrawarri language and celebrates children’s connection with water, Country and Community.

ILF CEO Ben Bowen says Indigenous Literacy Day is a chance for Australians to listen to and celebrate the diversity of First Nations cultures and languages.

“Country is our greatest teacher,” he says, adding that the day invites Australians to respect the many different cultures and knowledges across the continent.

How families can join in

You don’t need to be at the Sydney Opera House to take part.

The free Indigenous Literacy Day Film and Livestream begins at 10.30am AEST on Wednesday 2 September 2026 and can be watched by families, schools, libraries and community groups around Australia.

It will also be available on demand, making it easy to watch later with children and use as a starting point for conversations about language, storytelling, Country and Australia’s First Nations cultures.