Indigenous Literacy Day and Pay the Rent

Each year, Indigenous Literacy Day shines a light on the power of storytelling, knowledge sharing, and the importance of literacy within First Nations communities. It is a day to listen, learn, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - the world’s oldest continuous culture.

The Importance of Indigenous Literacy Day

Literacy goes beyond the ability to read and write. For First Nations peoples, it is also about preserving culture, passing down language, and keeping traditions alive. Many remote communities face barriers to accessing books and resources in their first languages, and Indigenous Literacy Day is a chance to raise awareness and support initiatives that address this gap.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) plays a crucial role in this space. They provide culturally relevant books, support publishing in First Nations languages, and deliver literacy programs led by community voices. Their work ensures children grow up with access to stories that reflect their culture, their identity, and their languages.

Understanding Pay the Rent

Beyond one day of awareness, meaningful support can come through initiatives such as Pay the Rent. This grassroots movement calls on individuals, businesses, and organisations to make ongoing financial contributions to First Nations communities. The principle is simple: we live, work, and build businesses on stolen land. Paying the rent is a way of acknowledging this truth and contributing to justice and self-determination.

Funds contributed to Pay the Rent initiatives are distributed directly to First Nations organisations and communities, supporting housing, education, health, cultural projects, and land care. It is one of the most direct and impactful ways to provide support.

How Meraki Studio Supports

At Meraki Studio, we are based on Gadigal Land, Sydney, and it is important to us that we recognise the unceded land on which we live and work. One of the ways we contribute is by supporting the Pay the Rent initiative.

For every piece of jewellery sold, we contribute $5 to Pay the Rent, helping to fund programs and initiatives that directly support First Nations communities. This is one small but ongoing way we can give back and ensure that support continues beyond words and acknowledgements.

How You Can Support

There are many meaningful ways you can get involved:

• Donate to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to help provide books and resources to remote communities.
• Support Pay the Rent by setting up a recurring contribution as an individual or business.
• Buy from First Nations-owned businesses to directly support communities and creators.
• Educate yourself and others by engaging with First Nations literature, art, and cultural works.
  
  

A Day for Listening and Action

Indigenous Literacy Day is a reminder to celebrate and honour the strength, resilience, and creativity of First Nations peoples. It is also a call to action - to listen, to learn, and to contribute in ways that make a tangible difference.

At Meraki Studio, we believe that storytelling is at the heart of identity and connection. On this day, and every day, we stand in support of First Nations voices and the important work being done to keep culture, language, and stories alive.