A new partnership to improve the literacy of school-aged Aboriginal children was launched at Toronto Library on April 21.
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The Aboriginal Literacy Improvement Program is a partnership between Lake Macquarie City Council’s Lake Mac Libraries and social purpose organisation Life Without Barriers.
Council’s Manager Cultural Services, Jacqui Hemsley, said the partnership will draw on the existing resources available through Toronto Library’s Aboriginal Knowledge Centre to help improve literacy rates among school-aged children and promote great connections with Aboriginal heritage.
“Council is strongly committed to promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture throughout the city, so we’re pleased to be partnering with Life Without Barriers to deliver this ongoing program of events relating to digital literacy, family history, art and storytelling,” Ms Hemsley said. “The program will begin with our new after-school event, Stories in the Big Blue Chair, and continue with sessions throughout the July school holidays.”
Life Without Barriers State Lead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives, Les Ahoy, said the program helped improve literacy skills.
“This program introduces literacy resources to Aboriginal children which encourages reading and engagement with books, thus improving their literacy skills,” Mr Ahoy said.
“Through the program parents and carers will be encouraged to read books with their children. And, in doing so, they will be empowered to be the role models for their children.”
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser opened the event and 11-year-old Kirra Lee Simon did an Acknowledgement of Country before the Biraban dancers performed three traditional dances.
The morning was filled with Aboriginal Cultural Awareness activities for children, parents and carers in attendance, including storytelling, painting, a musical puppet show, and a possum walk throughout the Library.
Life Without Barriers chief executive Claire Robbs said the organisation was “thrilled to be part of this wonderful program ... that strengthens our community and celebrates the history, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.