In October we celebrate Yukon Literacy Week, Oct.10 to 14, with special events in the communities, a four page newspaper supplement in the Yukon News, special workshops, puppet shows and events. The Klondike Gold Rush Facilitator Manual book launch is on October 12 with Robert Service readings. The Millenium Book Launch, which celebrates learning, was on October 14. There were readings, music and a reception. The book includes stories and artwork (professional, learner writings, youth writing, children's art) from all Yukon communities. Our Halloween Dress-up, on October 31, features a fundraiser challenge among various businesses with a Party and costume prizes at Yukon Learn. Our final event of the year will be our Christmas Party on December 1st with turkey dinner, gifts, prizes and entertainment for Yukon Learn volunteers, learners and members. - Joy Coldwell (learn@yukon.net) Nova Scotia  Greetings to you all from the East Coast! The Nova Scotia Provincial Literacy Coalition (NSPLC) hosted its 10th annual (PGI) Peter Gzowski Invitational golf tournament for literacy in June. During the ceremonies, two learners were recognized for their literacy accomplishments. Cory Veinotte received The Co-operators Learner Achievement Award and Charlotte Demmings received The Nova Scotia Learner Award. Congratulations to you both. On International Literacy Day, September 8, a learner was recognized for her personal achievements. Laura Jarvis is Nova Scotia's recipient of the Canada Post Literacy Awards for Individual Achievement. Congratulations Laura. Also in September, the Word on the Street Festival was held. The festival has been growing each year and there is always a literacy tent that hosts many enjoyable activities for learners of all ages. As I mentioned in my last report, NSPLC is planning to hold a province-wide literacy awareness campaign called Literacy Action Week 2000 in the fall. Learner participation is very important. I would encourage any learners who are interested in becoming involved in the literacy community to contact me for information. I would be more than happy to hear from you and assist you in learning how you can help. - Gordon A. DeWolfe (dewolfe@tru.eastlink.ca) Nunavut  This is Susan's first report as Nunavut Learner Representative. She introduces the work of her coalition. This year the Nunavut Literacy Council (NLC) will be focusing on promotion. Because the organization is so new (formed in September, 1999), it is important to let communities, organizations and Nunavummiut know about their services. One of the primary goals is to promote reading and writing to people of all ages. Promotion of literacy is a part of all projects. The NLC sponsors special annual events such as: The Annual Nunavut Writing Contest, The Annual Read for Fifteen Challenge (as part of Literacy Week), the publication of Northern Writes, and The Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy. The goal of NLC's family literacy program is to help parents build their skills in supporting their children's literacy development. They help communities develop family literacy projects through training, resources and on-going promotion. This work includes:
This year NLC are working on a new Oral History Resource Manual in partnership with the NWT Literacy Council. Through their work in communities they have seen a need for literacy programs that incorporate oral traditions and storytelling. The manual will be very useful to communities who want to develop Inuktitut literacy programs and programs that are more culturally relevant. Through their Family and Community Literacy Development Project they work with communities to plan, deliver and manage local literacy projects. They do this by delivering community-based workshops, sharing information and networking with others involved in literacy and providing literacy resources through the Literacy Resource Centre.- Susan Papatsie |
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