Drumming for literacy at AVC

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The main lobby of Alberta Vocational College came alive on Oct. 9 with the sounds of traditional Native drumming and singing and with students in search of books. The students and staff at AVC were drawn to a book giveaway by the sound of Thundering Echo, a Native drum group who helped AVC make a unique connection for its students who were celebrating literacy during Reading Week.

"Who did it better and who did it first? First Nations did," said Anna Morin, co-ordinator for senior adult basic education. Morin wanted to make the connection to the origins of storytelling by celebrating one of the earliest forms of literacy - the oral storytelling tradition of First Nations.

By showcasing this aspect of Native culture, Morin feels that more attention was given to the benefits of reading. Out of the 50 boxes of books available for the giveaway, only 10 boxes were left to put away at the end of the day. Since 1995, AVC has given away 32,000 books that come from the city of Edmonton libraries.

The celebration was a team effort put together by Brenda Rylands with AVC's Aboriginal student liaison services and numerous volunteers.

"The school sees the need for these activities, the students do and so does the community," said Rylands. She points out that while it isn't the first time the school has celebrated Reading Week, it is the first time that Reading Week was celebrated with a part of Aboriginal culture.