Program needs more Aboriginal volunteers

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The Prince Albert Literacy Network is working to increase the number of Aboriginal books it uses in its programs, and is hoping members of the Aboriginal community will help them out.

The network has been working to improve literacy rates among people in the Prince Albert area for 11 years. This year, its efforts were recognized, receiving a literacy award for Community Leadership from Canada Post.

While its programs aren't specifically targeted at Aboriginal people, a large percentage of the population served by the network is Aboriginal, so extra efforts are being made to make the programs culturally-appropriate, explained Brenda Lee, the network's family literacy co-ordinator.

One way that is being done is by using First Nations' children's books throughout the programs offered, especially the Storysacks program.

"The Storysacks project is on the go where we have fabric bags that are filled with props to make stories come alive. And for those, we've been really working to include First Nations story books," Lee explained. A cassette tape of the story being read is one of the items included in each Storysack, but Lee has had difficulties finding people to read the stories onto tape in Cree or in Dene.

Lee would also like to get more First Nations people involved in making the props to include in the Storysacks.

"For example, one of the books I have on my list of to dos is Peter's Moccasins. It's a story of a little boy who has a new pair of moccasins, has them, takes them to school, but is kind of embarrassed to wear them. And of course, some of the props I need are moccasins. These are beautifully hand-made moccasins by his grandmother according to the story, " Lee said. "Suitable props that would reflect the heritage and culture are difficult to find."

The strength of the Storysacks program is that it helps books to compete for the attention of children who wouldn't otherwise be interested in looking at or listening to a book being read.

"They've got all the props, so the parent who can't or doesn't read can take these props and you've got instant appeal to children. A lot of times books have become very boring. TV and videos and all these things really grab their attention, whereas a book tends to be left aside. Whereas with the props, they make stories come alive."

In addition to developing Storysacks and running the Storysacks program, the network also provides training to groups wanting to make their own Storysacks for their own use.

Among the agencies that have taken part in the Storysacks training have been the Head Start program, as well as school boards and community schools, explained network chairperson Liz Thompson.

In addition to Storysacks, the Prince Albert Literacy Network also offers literacy and parenting skills classes, the Come Read With Me program which encourages parents to read to their children, and the Nurturing With Rhyme program which teaches parents songs and rhymes they can share with their babies.

Thompson said the network has had much success in reaching out to the Aboriginal community through programs that go out to the community, rather than having the community come to the program.

"It's made quite accessible in terms of child care is offered, transportation is offered, snacks, all those kinds of things. It's got a parenting component, plus a literacy component. And we've seen, certainly, some really nice success stories, particularly moms who may have joined a parent group and then have gone on to the SUNTEP (the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program) programs and things like that," Thompson said.

The network has also worked in partnership with other organizations, includng the YWCA And Pine Grove Correctional Institution, to co-ordinate family literacy programs. According to Thompson, the programs at Pine Grove have been recognized nationally, and have been used as a model for similar programming in federal and provincial correctional facilities aross the country.

Anyone wanting more information about the literacy programs being offered by the Prince Albert Literacy Network, or wanting to help out with the creation of tapes or props for the Storysacks project, can call the network at 922-6736, or e-mail them at pafamlylit@yahoo.com.