New network works to support Aboriginal literacy

Page 14

Aboriginal literacy programs and practitioners across the province have a new tool to help them in their efforts, thanks to creation of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network (SALN).

The network, incorporated in March, will work to promote and support Aboriginal literacy efforts in Saskatchewan, acting as a link between existing literacy initiatives, and as a resource for both newly forming and existing programs.

While the word literacy is usually associated with being able to read and write, SALN takes a broader more holistic viewof literacy.

"We have come up with a description of how we define Aboriginal literacy," explained Carmen Bussiere, project coordinator for the network. "We define literacy as a learner-centred approach to life-long learning. And Aboriginal literacy is different in the sense that it honours the interconnectedness of all aspects of creation, resulting in personal growth, empowerment, community development and self-determination.

"Aboriginal literacy takes into consideration first languages, the use of Elders in event planning and organizing Aboriginal literacy programs, or even delivering them, being in the classroom. And talking about the values, the important things in a culture. So it involves also culture, community involvement. I think everyone has a role to play in Aboriginal literacy. And the more resources we can tap from the community, the better it is." Bussiere said.

"And it's really important also in Aboriginal literacy that we use the holistic approach, unifying the mind, the heart, the body and the spirit," she said.

"You know, education is a key to healthy living. We know that illiteracy is connected to poverty and to crime and unhealthy living. So if we can improve the literacy levels, then the lifestyles will improve too. There's going to be more healthy families, more healthy communities."

The network was created through the efforts of an Aboriginal literacy steering committee, explained Bussiere.

"In the year 2000, there was a group of people who were interested in literacy, Aboriginal literacy in particular, that went to a gathering in Alberta. And they got really excited about what they heard, and they thought, 'Oh, we have to start something in Saskatchewan.' So they formed a steering committee, and they started identifying what their role would be as a committee, what they could do to meet the needs of Aboriginal literacy," she said.

In May 2002, the steering committee coordinated an Aboriginal literacy gathering held near Fort Qu'Appelle, which attracted about 250 people.

"There were Elders and there were learners and there were people from the community, people who were already working in Aboriginal literacy programs, like practitioners. Just people who were basically interested. And they had working groups, and they identified some of the needs of Aboriginal people in terms of learning and literacy. And they came up with recommendations. And so there's a report that is called Aboriginal Literacy: Strategic Plan Report that was put together by the committee."

It was those recommendations that form the basis of SALN, Bussiere said, recommendations that came out of the input from the Aboriginal community.

"What we would like to do in the next while, next three years at least, is implement those strategies that people came up with, like grassroots strategies. It comes from the people, what is it that they need? So what we want to do is provide support and resources to Aboriginal communities. And we'll do this in different ways."

The first thing the network will have to do is to raise awareness of SALN and what it can do to support literacy initiatives.

"We also would like to meet with different Aboriginal communities, have some regional forums, and take this document that we have and say, does that apply to you? What are some of the things that you're doing right now in terms of literacy? And what would you like to do, and can we be of some assstance?"

The network is also in the process of developing a Web site, another tool it can use to reach out to communities across the province. The site will include a wide variety of information, including a directory of all the Aboriginal literacy programs in Saskatchewan.

"What we're planning on doing,is also working with existing programs. There's numerous Aboriginal literacy programs being delivered in Saskatchewan. So it's basically working with them, and maybe tapping into their resources," Bussiere said.

"Like there might be someone doing something in La Ronge, for example, that is really effective. So we may ask them to share, maybe something that they use, a strategy or an approach that they use that's really successful. Or they may have a package of training materials that have been really effective. So if they wanted to share that with other communities, we could have a sample here," Carmen Bussiere said.

"What we would like in addition to the Web site is to have an in-house resource centre here. So if we had a sample of a resource, other practitioners could come and borrow the material. Or if they needed some training to use the materials, we could coordinate this through SALN. But we definitely want to work with people that are already engaged in delivering Aboriginal programs, and just serve as a link to other communities," she said.

The network will also be able to help existing programs by helping them secure funding to continue or even expand their work.

"Sometimes there are literacy programs offered, and students are doing really well, they're finally engaged in a routine and they're excited about where they're going, they've gained some confidence and they want to move on to the next level, and there's nothing available. So they go back to square one. So we would like to serve as an advocate for these groups."

Anyone interested in learning more about the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network is invited to call SALN at 934-2632, or contct the network via e-mail at aboriginal.literacy@sasktel.net. Bussiere would also welcome calls from people interested in volunteering with the network, from existing Aboriginal literacy programs, or from communities interested in learning more about SALN and how the network can help them meet their Aboriginal literacy needs.