Right across Australia, you might start to hear the sounds of young voices singing in Yawuru language—a beautiful First Nations language from the Broome (Rubibi) region in Western Australia. It's all part of a national initiative called Busking For Change, led by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).
This annual event, now in its third year, was created by ILF Ambassador and ARIA award winning musician Josh Pyke, who says, "Music is a universal language. The idea is simple but powerful: students learn a song, sing it, and raise funds to support remote First Nations Communities to access and create books in languages they speak at home."
This year's song, Country Tells Us When…, was co-written by Josh Pyke, children's entertainer Justine Clarke, rapper and drummer DOBBY, and recorded by singer and actor Tehya Makani. And it's not just a song—it's a story about Country, culture, and the six Yawuru seasons that guide life in the Kimberley.
The song is based on an award-winning book of the same name, created by Community from Cable Beach Primary School in Broome and published by the ILF.
Guy Hayward Principal, Cable Beach Primary School says, "Country Tells Us When… began with humble beginnings—born from a teaching need identified right here in our school by four very talented staff members.
"To see it grow into an award-winning, internationally celebrated work is something that fills our entire school Community with pride. Having it transformed into a song for the Busking for Change initiative is incredibly powerful—it reinforces many of our students' sense of identity and deepens their pride in seeing their cultural practices and language shared and celebrated across the nation."
Yawuru language teacher, Cable Beach Primary School Dalisa Pigram Ross says, "Narli rangga liyan nganganngany! I have a great sense of pride! The small but passionate team of creators at the school I teach Yawuru language had the imagination to become the 'change they wanted to see' that is, they collaborated to create a book in partnership with the Yawuru Community and ILF to reflect the deep knowledge and understanding of Country for the current and next generations and their families because they didn't have a book like it to turn to.
"It's exciting to have our book inspire a song that now others around the country will have an opportunity to learn and through learning the song they will be learning about Yawuru language and culture. I think our Elders would feel so proud that we are helping to share our culture and keep our language strong."
ILF Ambassador, author and First Nations educator Shelley Ware says, "Busking For Change brings First Nations culture, language, and knowledge systems into classrooms through music and a whole lot of fun."
Teachers can access free lesson plans, musical resources, and fundraising. Busking For Change also supports the UN's Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) and highlights the importance of language preservation.
The 2025 goal is to recruit at least 100 schools and raise $80,000 for ILF's Community Publishing program, to publish more books like Country Tells Us When… from remote First Nations Communities around Australia. Learn a song: Change the world.
The money raised will help create and give access to culturally relevant books to children in remote First Nations Communities, supporting language preservation and lifelong learning.
Performances can be held any time, but the ILF suggests Term 3, 2025. Many schools hold their "Busking Day" on Indigenous Literacy Day, Wednesday 3rd September.
How to Register: Schools can sign up now at https://buskingforchange.ilf.org.au.
#IndigenousLiteracyFoundation #BuskingForChange #CountryTellsUs #BFC2025
Watch the 2025 reel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa7ZnUx9g9E
About us:
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. They are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.
In 2024 the ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children's or young adult literature.
