The nearly 100 Aboriginal literacy programs which grace the following pages are organized and presented according to a standard template of information. Programs are listed alphabetically by provincial or territorial jurisdiction. Each program profile provides information about program demographics, contact resources and coordinates. The program mission and objectives are then reviewed, followed by the program’s most salient features. Final observations on program operations are then presented and round out each profile.

Every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, particularly with respect to program coordinates. All original drafts of the profiles were returned to program coordinators for comment and corrections. We hope the final versions of the profiles honour their wishes and suggested changes. It should be noted that, in some instances, program coordinators or practitioners may have changed, but the contact numbers for the programs remain current. Despite a strong desire to do so, we were not able to allocate resources for a full translation of the Resource Directory. To honour the work of our colleagues in Québec, we have published the appropriate program profiles from that jurisdiction in French and include English translations for those in the rest of Canada who may wish to establish contact with Québec-based Aboriginal literacy programs.

The profiles are the mainstay of The Language of Literacy. We hope they invite interest, ideas, and provide useful, stimulating information about the status of Aboriginal literacy in Canada today. Most of all, we hope that the profiles excite and entice! Excite an interest among readers so that they are enticed to contact their colleagues and build bridges of sharing and hope. This, above all, will strengthen the future of the movement within Aboriginal communities in Canada.