Proud Merlam and Erublam neur/woman Jillian Bowie is one of three new board members to join the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Ms Bowie, who is a Samsep and Zagareb woman from the islands of Erub and Mer in the Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) joins Penguin Random House Australia and New Zealand chief executive Julie Burland and Books Kinokuniya merchandise manager, Helene Byfield as the new appointees at the not-for-profit organisation.

"Literacy connects us. Literacy is communication through storytelling, where the passing on of knowledge is preserved in books that can speak into the ears and hearts of our people near and far," Ms Bowie said.

"This is important for those of us who have been dispossessed of country, culture, language, and kin. No matter where we live, we remain connected to our stories, language, and people."

The author, artist and businesswoman who currently works for First Languages Australia as senior program officer for their First Nations Languages Education Program team, said literacy connected Indigenous people and the wider community.

"It is our voice; our truth telling. Some stories may be fictional, but they carry an element of truth from the author's world through imaginative perceptions," she said.

"When we captivate children through literacy we are planting seeds, nurtured to grow into trees that will bear fruit for others to eat, to keep the fire burning, and keep our voices strong."

Ms Burland, who had various executive roles at Penguin Random House (PRH) Australia since joining in 2000, said there had been a long association between PRH and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).

"We are fundamentally aligned with the ILF ethos of fostering culture, stories, language and literacy. Joining the Board felt like a natural step to explore how PRH and I can further support this important and worthy cause," Ms Burland said.

"I am looking forward to learning from and contributing to the goals and focus of the ILF team."

Ms Byfield, who started at Books Kinokuniya as a part-time customer service representative while studying at university more than 20 years ago, said books provided a wonderful way to build empathy and create opportunity.

"Books Kinokuniya has been a strong supporter of the ILF through promotion and fundraising for many years. Joining the ILF Board gives me the opportunity to personally provide more hands-on and direct support for their fantastic work," she said.

"I am looking forward to working with the ILF board to provide support for their Book Supply and Community Publishing programs."

Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) co-chair, Natalie Ahmat said the talented trio brought a wealth of experience and expertise across publishing, bookselling and First Nations languages.

"I have no doubt their insights and perspectives will prove invaluable as the ILF continues to grow and thrive, building on the positive work that saw the ILF recently receive global recognition, named as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Laureates for 2024," she said.

"I would also like to thank our outgoing directors, Hachette Australia and New Zealand CEO Louise Stark and Language and Cultural advocate and Torres Strait Islander Leitha Assan, who are leaving the ILF Board after completing their terms.

"It has been an incredible honour to serve alongside Louise and Leitha and I cannot thank them enough for their many contributions and tireless commitment to the ILF over the past six years."

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.