Building the Fire

Items of Interest

George, Ruby and Sarah Simaganis browse the collection of books at the library during a field trip of the aboriginal adult literacy program.

Aboriginal Students look to future by Leanne Herter Lloydminster Meridian Booster Students in Katharine Gullion's class are nearing the end of a long hard road - destination literacy. The aboriginal adult literacy program, offered at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre since October, will draw to a close with a Graduation ceremony on May 4.

What the students have gone through everyr Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to get to this point, truly proves their commitment and dedication to learning and breaking the cycle of illiteracy, said Gullion.

Some activities the class has participated in included a trip to the Allan Sapp art galiery in North Battleford. Sapp is an illiterate artist whose paintings really struck a chord with them.

"That's has means of communication. All of' my students could relate to his story and his life," said Gullion.

Based on what they saw, the students then wrote about the emotions his paintings evoked.

Another field trip included a visit to Lakeland College to expose the students to the next step their educational journey may lead them to.

The students' children also became involved in the program. Every third week the children came with their parents to school and engaged in craft activities as well as reading. It is important for the children to see their parents as learners and role models which helps break the cycle of illiteracy, she said.

The program is designed as a stepping stone to further upgrading, employment, or to just give the students the confidence to sit down and read to their children.

To help foster interest in reading, Gullion has built a library focused on aboriginal content. The collection of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, children's books, novels and historical accounts encourages reading when it's something the student is familiar with.

"You learn from what you know, you start from what you know and if you can't relate to what's in the book, you're not going to learn a lot out of it." she said.

The students have been encouraged to attend classes and have received support from social services who provided babysitters. The program also provided transportation on cold days.

Gullion is pleased that five of her students have been with her since October with one new student added along the way. Three are already planning to continue onto an upgrading program.

With one more field trip to Edmonton planned before the end of the program, Gullion said graduation has more significance than can be summed up on a piece of parchment.

"This program is seen as a stepping stone. They don't get a degree, they don't walk out with a diploma", said Gullion, "they walk out with higher self esteem, the knowledge that they know they can learn, and are capable of learning, and the confidence in knowing that there are choices, and opportunities out there."

"THAT'S FUNNY KOKUM" "THE CAT SAID MEOW" -Derek Quinney