Sioux Narrows
Cheryl Copenace is the mover behind PRINTS coming to Sioux Narrows. It will be part of their Early Years Program, Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council, Inc.

Sioux Narrows is located in Ontario's Lake of the Woods country. It is renowned for its natural beauty and resorts. The population of about 400 swells to between 1000-2000 in the summer. It has an elementary school for K-6. Sioux Narrows boasts of the longest single-span wooden bridge in North America. It was built in the 1930's and spans 210 feet across the narrows.

Great Moon Gathering - Feb. 13-14
This is a conference organized by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council Education Department for schools in Moose Factory, Moosonee, and the community schools up the western coast of James Bay. It is a yearly gathering of educators that focuses on issues in education and cultural activities that enable teachers and support personnel be more effective in teaching Cree children. This year, Karen Nakogee, and Martina Green, who have been very active in facilitating PRINTS in Moose Factory, are presenters at the Conference on the PRINTS Program. At first one workshop was offered and quickly filled up with 28 participants so that another workshop was added. Karen, who is a Junior Kindergarten Teacher, says: "We do have needy children and do have parents that need some help. I can say we have made a difference through the PRINTS program!"

MacMorran Community Centre Leads the Way in Involving Young Parents and Youth
MacMorran Community Centre under the capable facilitation of Kim and Helena are offering the PRINTS Program to a group of 15 youth, about one-half of whom are parents. All adults benefit when they better understand how reading and writing develops and the kinds of activities that can foster literacy development in young children. Even if youth/adults are not parents, they often have many occasions to engage in PRINTS activities - as aunts and uncles, babysitters, etc. If in the future they become parents themselves, they will be aware of the importance of parents/guardians as supporters of young children in growing into literacy, and will be knowledgeable of a variety of activities they can engage in for this purpose.

PRINTS IN SASKATCHEWAN

Regina Early Learning Centre
In fall 2002, Crystal Forsythe and Lynda Sparvier facilitated PRINTS at the Regina Early Learning Centre (ELC), a preschool centre for low-income children. An average of 12, parents participated, including 5 dads. This marked the highest percentage of dads attending a program at the Centre. Evaluations were extremely positive. One parent summarized the experience of the sessions as follows: "They were fun and enjoyable, a great learning experience; the information was useful and well communicated." Every parent mentioned enjoying the time together to talk about themselves and their children with the facilitators. The ELC provides a number of supports, so that low-income parents can attend PRINTS. In addition to providing activity supplies (crayons, scissors, etc.), there is transportation for families to and from the Centre, and food for participants. Without these supports, parents would not be able to attend. A friendly relaxed atmosphere seemed to be one of the keys to the success of the fall 2002 PRINTS at the ELC. Since finding funding to run programs is always a challenge, parents were asked what they would say to funders of the PRINTS program. Their responses included: "It is an awesome program that I'm sure everyone who attends will benefit and enjoy it." "This is an amazing program that has been open to parents at the ELC. It should continue so that other parents in the city can have an opportunity to learn the things that we did." "Please keep giving the funds so that the ELC can let parents learn and be supportive of their children's education."

On the following page are photos of parents participating in PRINTS at the Regina Early Learning Centre