First Nations Bedtime Stories
October 19, 2023 / By Common Ground
First Nations Bedtime Stories returned for its fifth year, an annual week of storytelling by Common Ground. It brings Dreaming stories as old as time into homes and classrooms across Australia.
Every year Common Ground worlds with different First Nations communities to film five non-secret Dreaming stories, told by Elders and Knowledge Custodians.
This year the stories are from Noongar Country (Western Australia). Common Ground collaborated with filmmaking duo Brooke Collard (Ballardong and Whadjuk Noongar woman) and Gary Hamaguchi (Jaru, Noongar and Japanese man) to bring these stories to our screens.
The films are shared online for free, to everyone that signs up. Participants also get access to free educational resources created by Common Ground and Jordyn Green (Learning to Ngangaanha). The resources are designed to help teachers bring First Nations histories and cultures into classrooms in ways that are safe and engaging.
Common Ground works with Elders, Knowledge Custodians, producers, filmmakers and many other people to make this project happen. The money raised for this project goes directly to paying First Nations people and communities for their ongoing collaboration and contribution to the project.
You can watch films and resources from previous years on Common Ground’s website.