IN MY OWN WORDS

SCREENING KITRESOURCES TO SUPPORT FILM SCREENINGS

CONTENTS IN MY OWN WORDS SCREENING KIT

ABOUT THE FILM 02

SCREENING KIT INTRODUCTION 03

HOW TO HOST A SCREENING 04

SCREENING TIMELINE 06

PROMOTING YOUR EVENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA 07

SENDING AN EMAIL TO YOUR NETWORKS 08

DISCUSSION GUIDE 09

SYNOPSIS

In My Own Words follows the journey of adult Aboriginal students and their teachers as they discover the transformative power of reading and writing for the first time. Research reveals that 45-70%* of Aboriginal adults are functionally illiterate.

A major contributing factor to low literacy and numeracy is that the mainstream education system has, in many ways, failed parents who, as a result, may not have had opportunities to build basic literacy and numeracy skills. Consequently, parents may struggle to support their children’s learning to the best of their potential, and the cycle of illiteracy can continue.

The focus of the documentary is on a classroom in Brewarrina, a rural northwest NSW town with a majority Aboriginal population. Filming every day of the 13-week Literacy for Life Foundation course, director Erica Glynn captures the women and men, hardship and resilience, friendship and humour behind the sobering statistics.

* Note that the statistics referenced here are based on a data set that includes Aboriginal Australian (and not Torres Strait Islander) communities only.

CREDITS

Production Company Blackfella Films

Written and Directed by Erica Glynn

Producer Darren Dale

Cinematography Simon Morris

Editor Karryn de Cinque

Composer Michael Yezerski

Sound Recordists David Tranter Will Sheridan

ABOUT THE FILM IN MY OWN WORDS

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Your screening event of In My Own Words is an opportunity to increase understanding about why Aboriginal adult literacy rates are low and engage people in a conversation about what can be done to effectively address literacy development. This includes the benefit of strengthening English and wider literacy skills among Aboriginal communities, and how community-led ownership of literacy programs strengthens their success. Learning to read or write changes everything.

More than 40% of Aboriginal adults have low English literacy and in remote areas the figure can be as high as 70%.

There are some excellent organisations running literacy and numeracy programs to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children.

However, parents with low-levels of literacy may find it challenging to support their children’s learning, and the cycle of illiteracy can continue. The reasons for high illiteracy rates among Aboriginal adults in some communities are complex (see page 9 for more context on why).

A major contributing factor to low literacy and numeracy is that the mainstream education system has, in many ways, failed parents who in turn are also without basic literacy and numeracy skills.

While a community’s literacy levels remain low, attempts to overcome disadvantage may face enormous challenges. Where illiteracy can be an obstacle to success, literacy can be a key tool towards individual and community empowerment.

Based on a Cuban method called ‘Yes I Can’, the Literacy for Life Foundation is moving into towns, setting up classrooms, and offering Aboriginal men and women a community-driven opportunity to learn to read and write. Key to the success of the program is that local Aboriginal people familiar to students are hand-picked by the community and trained on the job to be the teachers. Literacy is the first step to turning things around.

In My Own Words shows how raising the levels of adult literacy, through the Literacy for Life Foundation’s community led-program, is creating long term positive change for Aboriginal people.

The In My Own Words Screening Kit provides a set of resources that will help support your screening and make it a great event.

SCREENING KIT INTRODUCTIONThank you for hosting a screening of In My Own Words.

Until people can read and write we won’t close any gap. Literacy is the first step.”

Jack Beetson, Literacy for Life Foundation

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For further information about the Literacy For Life Foundation visit: www.lflf.org.au

HOW TO HOST A SCREENINGPLANNING THE EVENT• Find a space: screenings can be held anywhere where

there is a digital projector and speakers. Best-case scenario is a cinema, but community spaces, school halls or boardrooms can work too.

• Give yourself about six weeks to plan the event.• Get a team together to help with publicity, catering and

technical. Consider opportunities to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses for these purposes. Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Direct search tool can be a great starting place for investigating these opportunities.

• Are you raising money for a charity? If so, consider ne-gotiating sponsorships, fee reductions or other in-kind support from event partners such as your venue provider.

• Set-up an online ticketing system. Here are a few suggestions:

eventbrite.com.au floktu.com trybooking.com• Make sure the invite sets out the running order of the

event. The film runs for 63 minutes.

PUBLICITY• Start publicising your event as soon as possible• Set up a Facebook event page (make sure it has the

RSVP or ticketing link!) and include the trailer.• Tweet using hashtag #InMyOwnWords – include the

trailer. • Distribute marketing materials – send an email, put up

posters in strategic areas.• Write a one page press release and let your local news-

paper and radio station know. • Pick up the phone to follow up.

TECHNICAL CHECKLIST• Get access to a good projector.• Do a sound and vision check (also called a technical

or ‘tech’ check) as soon as possible. If you haven’t received the DVD or online link to In My Own Words

• yet do a tech check with another film in the interim to make sure the projector is working, and repeat it when you receive the film.

• Check that the aspect ratio for the projector is set correctly (the picture shouldn’t look too wide or too tall). Check that the colours are as they should be (the picture should not look too dark or light, or too blue, green or red).

• Check that the room where you are doing the tech check and screening in is dark!

• When you’re doing a tech check, sit in different seats in the audience area – try the back row and the sides to test whether everyone can see and hear the film.

• If you have time play the whole film at the tech check. If you don’t, play the film at various random scenes (beginning, middle and end). Can you understand the words? Hear the music? Is the sound coming out of all speakers? Is the sound clear and constant?

WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE• Raise money for the Literacy For Life Foundation

(www.lflf.org.au) or an organisation of your choice that runs literacy programs.

• If you choose to raise money for the Literacy For Life • Foundation, make sure to project the digital slide

included in the screening kit at the end of the screening to share information on how to get involved.

We are thrilled that you’ve decided to host a screening of In My Own Words. Here are a few tips to help make your screening a success.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY OR CORPORATE SCREENING EVENTS• Hosting a screening of In My Own Words in your

community or workplace is an opportunity to increase understanding of why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult English literacy rates are low, and to engage people in a conversation about opportunities for effectively addressing literacy development - including the benefits of community-led programs. Make sure you have a skilled and informed facilitator to lead any post-screening discussion.

• You can use your screening event to fundraise for the Literacy For Life Foundation’s work. Project the post screening slide provided immediately following your screening so people know where to go online to donate. Let the Literacy For Life Foundation know about your screening so they can help spread the word.

• You can host an event any time that suits your calendar - however you might consider aligning your event with a significant date such as: - September 8, UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, which recognises literacy as a human right and the cornerstone for development - early September, Indigenous Literacy Day - February 21 UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day.

• Screening the film in communities where there are low levels of adult literacy may inspire someone to enrol in a literacy program. Alternatively, you could consider partnering with a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation to host your screening and advocate to start a program where there is an appropriate and meaningful opportunity. It’s worth pre-empting that some members of these communities may be sensitive to the film’s content and may have quite an emotional response. Setting up a culturally safe and respectful pre- and post-viewing environment will be important in this regard.

• Screenings can be an opportunity to engage professionals/educators working in adult literacy to spark a deeper conversation on best practice in adult literacy programs.

RECRUITING A SKILLED FACILITATORKey characteristics of a good facilitator should include:• Active listening skills• Ability to acknowledge and be responsive to the

diverse experiences of people in the room• Ability to manage sensitive information.• Ability to interrupt and re-focus discussion if

conversations go off-topic.• Ideally they should be provided with an opportunity to

view the film prior to the screening and background information on adult Indigenous illiteracy and the work of the Literacy for Life Foundation.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PANEL MEMBERSPanel members should have expertise in addressing literacy and community led-development. Choose someone who is skilled at sensitively talking about the material in the film. Consider inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders and adult literacy educators. Everyday Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, where appropriate, could also bring valuable insights to the panel.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PANEL DISCUSSIONSUse the In My Own Words discussion questions as a starting point for the panel and encourage audience questions as well.

Make the panel discussion at least half an hour long to allow for audience participation.

FURTHER RESOURCESThese resources from Reconciliation Australia can help you to create a culturally safe, respectful and inclusive screening event. - A Guide to Using Respectful and Inclusive Language in communicating about Reconciliation - A Guide To Facilitating Culturally Safe and Respectful Reconciliation Screenings and Discussions

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SCREENING TIMELINESIX WEEKS TO GO • Request a copy of the film and purchase a screening license.

• Set time and date• Book venue• Compile invitation list• Design marketing materials or adapt the templates in the screening kit you’ve re-

ceived from us• Get your event team together• Do you intent to have a Q&A? If so, book speakers and a MC/moderator• Are you providing catering? If so, consider engaging an Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander food supplier or catering service

FIVE WEEKS TO GO

THREE WEEKS TO GO

FOUR WEEKS TO GO

ONE WEEK TO GO

TWO WEEKS TO GO

DAY OF SCREENING

• Visit the venue and do a technical check, including testing the DVD or video file (see technical checklist)

• If you have a Q&A, do you need a microphone for your MC/moderator?

• Distribute posters• Write press release to local media• Continue sharing your event on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

• Contact your local newspaper and radio stations by phone

POST EVENT

• Send out an email/Facebook reminder for your event one week and one day before• Follow up with local media

• Set up the venue• Final tech checks (make sure everything still works!)• Once everyone arrives, consider formally opening the event with an

Acknowledgement of Country and/or Welcome to Country before then introducing the film

• Project the take action slide on screen as soon as the film finishes

• Thank the audience and your event team in person and on social media• Send out an email/Facebook message to let everyone know how much you raised

(if you hosted a fundraiser) and the outcomes of your screening

• Set up online ticketing system• Send out invites and let invitees know if this will be a catered event or not• Set up a Facebook event page with a ticketing link• Start sharing on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

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Here is a suggested timeline with tips to help you plan a succesful screening.

PROMOTING YOUR EVENT ON SOCIAL MEDIASocial media makes it easy to alert your community about your screening.

CREATE A FACEBOOK EVENT

When creating a Facebook Event you can choose between setting it as a private or public.

A private event is only visible to the people who are invited. You can choose to allow guests to invite their friends. A public event is visible to anyone on or off Facebook.

Step 1On the left side of your Facebook page, click on ‘Events’.Step 2Click on ‘Create an Event’ and fill out the form. Don’t forget to include the trailer and your ticketing website URL.Step 3Click ‘Create’ and you’re set. You’re now ready to invite your Facebook friends to your screening

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS: FACEBOOK

Come and watch an inspiring film that shows what is possible through raising literacy and the positive benefits of community-led development. #InMyOwnWords showing one night only[insert venue and time or add ticketing website URL]

I’m excited to host a screening of #InMyOwnWords at [insert venue and time]. Be part of the conversation. Free snacks provided. Buy tickets here [add your ticketing website URL]

Let’s start a community discussion about raising literacy in Aboriginal communities. Come and watch the film #InMyOwnWords to see what’s possible [insert venue and time or add ticketing URL]

“Until people can read and write we won’t close any gap. Literacy is the first step.” - Professor Jack Beetson, Literacy For Life Foundation. Watch the film #InMyOwnWords [insert venue and time]

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS: TWITTERCome and watch #InMyOwnWords and see what’s possible by raising adult literacy in Australia’s Aboriginal communities. [insert event website or Facebook event link]

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SENDING AN EMAIL TO YOUR NETWORKSMailChimp is an App that helps you to create email campaigns. If you use MailChimp, we’ve created a template you can adapt. Just click here and add it to your template folder. Alternatively, here is a suggested email invitation.

(NB: If doing a group email invite, for privacy reasons address the email to yourself and be sure to BCC the email address list.)

Subject: Invitation to a screening of In My Own Words

Dear [insert name]

In My Own Words by filmmaker Erica Glynn is about the raw, heartfelt and transformative journey of adult Aboriginal students and their teachers as they discover the power of reading and writing for the first time.

We invite you to a special screening of the film at [insert place] on [insert date].

The screening will be followed by a discussion with [insert speakers name if you have one].

The film follows a group of Aboriginal adults from Brewarrina, a rural northwest NSW town, over a number of weeks, as they participate in a Literacy for Life Foundation program, learning to read and write for the first time.

More than 40% of Aboriginal adults have low levels of English literacy and in remote areas the figures can be as high as 70%.

While a community’s literacy levels remain low, attempts to overcome disadvantage may face enormous challenges. Where illiteracy can be an obstacle to success, literacy can be a key tool towards individual and community empowerment.Come and join us to see this inspiring film that shows what is possible through raising literacy in Aboriginal communities and the positive benefits of community-led development.

You can purchase tickets here [insert web address or email address – be sure to let people know if any of your ticket sales are being used to fundraise for The Literacy for Life Foundation’s work]

For any questions please contact the event organisers at [insert email address]

We hope to see you at the screening.

[insert name of individual or organisation] 08

DISCUSSION GUIDEThese questions can be used as a starting point for a facilitated discussion in a small or large group setting.

DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST Do some research before you begin to help you prepare for the group discussion. Review the Literacy For Life Foundation program website (www.lflf.org.au). Also consider reading this article from The Guardian written by filmmaker Erica Glynn on her experience filming the program.

BACKGROUND There are some excellent organisations working on addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander literacy and numeracy programs for young people. However, a major contributing factor to low literacy and numeracy is that the mainstream education system has, in many ways, failed parents who, as a result, may not have had opportunities to build basic literacy and numeracy skills. Consequently, parents may struggle to support their children’s learning to the best of their potential, and the cycle of illiteracy can continue.

Reasons behind the relatively low rates of English literacy among the Aboriginal population compared to wider Australian adults population can be incredibly complex.

Until the 1960s, segregated schools used a restricted syllabus which only provided a basic primary education. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were expected to attend school until they were 14, many were discouraged by colonial authorities and educators from attending at all, and those who wanted to proceed beyond compulsory education faced many barriers. For example, from around 1910 right up until the 1970s, many Aboriginal children (now referred to as the Stolen Generations), were taken from their families and communities by colonial government authorities and forced into assimilationist – and often abusive—educational institutions, or indeed into a life of forced labour. Such experiences have understandably resulted in fear and suspicion around ‘Western’ education policies, practices and environments amongst many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to this day. Despite the fact that, for the last four decades, it has been illegal to discriminate against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,

many students have continued to experience vastly unequal and inequitable educational opportunities, and outcomes. In order to ensure that low literacy does not become an ongoing intergenerational challenge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, education systems must actively acknowledge, and responsively accommodate, First Peoples’ ways of viewing, teaching and learning about the world. (source: Literacy For Life Foundation)

THE STATISTICS

• Between 40 -70% of Aboriginal adults are functionally illiterate in English.

• Children of less literate adults are less likely to succeed at school.

• There is a causal link between poor literacy and low education levels in Aboriginal communities as well as alcohol and substance abuse, poor health and high mortality.

GENERAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Q. How did you feel as you watched the film In My Own Words and why?

Q. What were your first reactions and what personal assumptions or experiences do you feel triggered this response? Did the film strengthen and/or challenge any of your prior attitudes or understandings?

COMMUNITY LED DEVELOPMENT

Filmmaker Erica Glynn says, “Pivotal to the whole (Literacy for Life Foundation) method is that they have women or men from the local community running the show. There’s so much that happens outside the classroom that needs to be taken into account. These local facilitators have their eye on the game.”

In the film, Kurt, one of the students says, “I had doubts about coming to the program, and once I saw it was in our own community with our elders, I felt more comfortable.”

Q. Discuss what the benefits of having local Aboriginal people run this program are as opposed to having outsiders come in and run the program?

Q. Do you think community-led programs could be key to long-term success? Why?

We encourage you to use the questions below to generate positive and meaningful dialogue about the film and the issues it explores. If possible, invite appropriate local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and community members or contact someone from the Literacy For Life Foundation to participate in your discussion.

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BARRIERS TO LEARNINGIn the film Mary reflects on her own education and says, “I think I was about 14, 15 when I left school – I only went to Year 8 then. Because no one was there for me, to push me, and encourage me, to go on, you know? And I noticed at school you got treated different when you were from DodgeCity, because you were from the Mish, from the Reserve, on the outskirts – a dirty little black kid from Dodge City. They didn’t care. Didn’t do much learning – the teacher wouldn’t come near me.”

Q. Discuss the role that (in)direct racism and discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can play in influencing why illiteracy rates might be high in some communities. What other evidence of this is in the film?

Q. Why is developing relationships that are based on trust and respect and free of racism important to fostering positive learning opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and for promoting reconciliation in Australia more widely?

As In My Own Words explores, there are clear benefits tied to developing English literacy skills in contemporary Australian life. Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that English represents the colonising language in Australia which, in conjunction with unjust colonial policies and practices such as explicit condemnation of First Languages use, and forced separation of children from their families and speaker communities, has led to the critically endangered status of so many of the 250+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages of Australia.

Research strongly shows that “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language and cultural programs lead to increased self-esteem, improved academic performance, improved school attendance, reduced drop-out rates and better proficiency in reading skills in both the Indigenous language and English.” (reference)

Q. Alongside fostering culturally responsive opportunities for strengthening English literacy skills, why is it simultaneously important to actively honour First Languages and literacies?

CLOSING THE GAP

Professor Jack Beetson from the Literacy For Life Foundation says, “Until people can read and write we won’t close any gap. Literacy is the first step.”

Q. How can raising literacy levels in adults lift their circumstances – not just by improving their job prospects – but in improving health outcomes, community safety, family/community participation and everyday tasks?

EXPLORE MORE Interested in engaging in further learning and discussion of relevance? Check out the professional learning resources listed on the following Narragunnawali Actions pages:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Classroom

• • Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Students and Children • • ‘Build Relationships with Community

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