Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does First Nations Bedtime Stories exist?

Each year since 2019, Common Ground has worked with First Nations communities to film five non-secret Dreaming stories told by Elders and Knowledge Custodians.

We do this to share and strengthen these stories for future generations, and to provide a way for all people to make a connection with the oldest continuing cultures on Earth. These stories are a rich source of valuable knowledge and wisdom.

This year we are reflecting on the past five years of storytelling in celebration how far we have come with First Nations Bedtime Stories.

This project creates a positive impact by:

Supporting educators to bring First Nations knowledge and cultures into their classrooms in ways that are safe and engaging.

Collaborating with different First Nations communities to record their sacred stories in a new way, building on tens of thousands of years of strong, community-driven storytelling.

Investing in community by working with Elders, Knowledge Custodians, producers, filmmakers and many other people to make this project happen.

2. Who is Common Ground?

Common Ground is a First Nations not-for-profit. We’re working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories.

We amplify and back First Nations voices, embed First Nations knowledge in systems like the education system, and develop cultural storytelling projects to change systems.

3. How do i participate?

The stories are shared online to everyone that signs up. All you need to do is sign up with an email address. The films will arrive in your inbox at the beginning of each day, from 28 October - 1 November 2024.

Everyone who signs up also gets access to free, educational resources. The resources will help you guide safe and informative learning with the young people in your life, whether you’re a parent, an Early Childhood educator or a Primary School teacher.

3. Where Can i watch films from previous years?

You can access both the films and the educational resources from previous years on the Common Ground website. We have a dedicated First Nations Bedtime Stories page with information and an interactive map of Australia that holds all the stories since 2019. Simply scroll down to the map and choose from there!

4. Is it free?

Yes! The films and educational resources are free for any person, class or school that signs up. We do invite you to please make a donation or fundraise if you can, so we can continue this important initiative next year.

5. Why do you ask for donations?

First Nations Bedtime Stories is brought to you by Common Ground, a First Nations not-for-profit. These stories and the accompanying resources are free for everyone to enjoy and learn from. We ask for donations so we can continue First Nations Bedtime Stories in the years ahead, and provide free films and resources to people all over Australia.

Click here to learn more about the impact this project has, and what the money we raise goes towards.

6. What are some ideas for fundraising at school?

We encourage you to get creative with your fundraising ideas at school! You could:

• Collect gold coin donations for a casual clothes or pyjama day

• Hold a special assembly for viewing the stories and ask for gold coin donations

• Have a bake sale

• Have a movie night/cinema screening in your school hall and ask for gold coin donations (alternatively you could do this on a smaller scale in the classroom during school hours)

• If you wish to collect donations online, simply share the URL of your profile that you create when you sign up. Parents and others in your school community can donate using this link and it will be recorded under your profile!

7. Are donations tax-deductible?

All donations for First Nations Bedtime Stories are tax-deductible (ABN 31 631 267 751).

8. My school doesn't have a debit/credit card. can I send our donations by bank transfer?

If you can't send donations directly to your profile page that is created when you sign up, please send your donations to the following bank account.

Name: Common Ground Account

BSB: 063 111

Account: 1099 2264

Please quote - 'Bedtime Stories' in the description