Provincial Aboriginal Literacy Project
by Debbie Purton, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Literacy Network

In June of 2000, ten delegates from Saskatchewan attended the first National Aboriginal Literacy Gathering in Morley, Alberta. They were inspired by this event to focus on increasing awareness of Aboriginal literacy needs, issues and program initiatives in Saskatchewan. Since then, a Steering Committee has been convened, funding from the National Literacy Secretariat and other sources has been secured, and significant work achieved.

The first major project was the research and writing of a Directory of Aboriginal Literacy Projects in Saskatchewan. The intent of this work was to find the numerous Aboriginal literacy initiatives undertaken by organizations across Saskatchewan, and discern the lessons that can be learned from each of these initiatives - information about the scope and content of the project, funding sources, methodologies used, resources developed, factors that have contributed to project success, and support mechanisms that keep them going. This Directory will be completed and published by the fall of 2002.

The second major project was the sponsoring of “Mamewenig” - the first Provincial Aboriginal Literacy Gathering, held May 14th to 16th, at the Echo Valley Conference Center, Fort San. This gathering was attended by over 200 participants including Elders, learners, practitioners, government staff and community leaders from Saskatchewan and across Canada.

Highlights included:

• A participatory planning process that involved participants in the development of an Aboriginal Literacy Strategy for inclusion in the Saskatchewan Learning’s Provincial Literacy Strategy;
• The Keynote Address by Priscilla George, Coordinator of the National Aboriginal Design Committee, on “What is Aboriginal Literacy?”:
• Over 30 workshops, facilitated by Elders, practitioners and learners who shared the programs and resource materials that they have developed or adapted in their communities;
• Metis and First Nations cultural celebrations that were woven through the whole Gathering - involving Elders and Veterans, drummers, dancers, singers and helpers; and
• Involvement of 32 learners from across the province through sponsorship of Saskatchewan Learning.

Follow-up to the Aboriginal Literacy Gathering will focus on developing action plans to build a strong base for ongoing communication among Aboriginal literacy programs, strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones, and increase recognition and support for Aboriginal literacy within all levels of government.

Other key activities of the Steering Committee have included: participation in Literacy Action Day in Ottawa in October, 2001; meetings with Cabinet Ministers who have responsibilities related to Aboriginal Literacy; and working with the media to promote Aboriginal literacy in Saskatchewan.

Learners in Action for Literacy

Leaders in the literacy community have long recognized that learners’ voices need to be heard. Learners, speaking of their own challenges and victories in the adult education system, have added a new dimension in making literacy issues real to the public and the politicians.

The Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL), founded in 1977, is a coalition of coalitions that has always found respectful ways to include learners. It began with two learners being invited to sit on MCL’s board as members at large, the birth of the Learners Action Group of Canada. The Board then set up a Learners Committee (two learners and two literacy workers) to plan a learners’ event for International Literacy Year, 1990. As a result of their planning, a landmark National Learners Training Event was held in Candle Lake, Saskatchewan in May 1990. A Mission Statement came out of the gathering that still speaks true of learners’ concerns and guides their hopes for the future of adult education.

A 1991 Halifax meeting led to a five-year plan that would see a learner representative from each province and territory on the board of MCL. 1994-95 MCL organizational changes resulted in a plainly written constitution and board materials. Plans were also made at this time to hire a coordinator of learner involvement to support the participation of learner board members. In 1998 one of the dreams of Candle Lake was realized when the MCL board established the Learners Advisory Network (LAN), made up of one learner representative from each province and territory.

Within LAN, four LAN members are elected to sit on the board of MCL, and two of these four (the LAN chair and the MCL Learner Spokesperson) automatically sit on the executive of MCL. This means that the learner perspective is heard at all levels of MCL planning and policy development.

LAN itself quickly recognized that, as in all jobs, certain skills are needed to ensure the work is done effectively. We developed a job description and passed it on to each provincial coalition to help them choose the best man/woman for the job. LAN, reaching consensus through discussion and brainstorming, prides itself on being a strong team working for the best for all Canadian learners.

And LAN is busy.

We participate in Literacy Action Day (LAD) which is an annual event and sees provincial literacy teams visiting politicians and policy makers on Parliament Hill. As well, we have been actively involved, as part of MCL, in developing strategies to present to government to steer the development of a national literacy policy.

Our newsletter, Learners in ACTION, asks learners for their opinions on ‘hot’ topics, profiles learners and programs, publishes learners’ writing, promotes material of interest to learners and educates with special articles. It also has a regular feature, Computer Corner, to help learners become more computer literate.

Learners in ACTION also provides information on conferences, elections and government policy affecting learners. Every issue includes a regional report from each LAN representative, so learners across Canada are aware of upcoming events in their areas.

LAN also has a regularly updated website - www.literacy.ca/lan/lan.htm - which provides information and includes profiles of all LAN members. Canadian learners are encouraged to contact their reps to offer suggestions and opinions and to find out where to go if they need help or information. One LAN brainstorming session provided the material for an awareness-raising brochure called ‘What Adult Literacy Learners Would Like You to Know.’ In its second printing, this pamphlet has been distributed nation wide and LAN is very proud of its impact. The ‘Book of Changes,’ a compilation of learner stories from across Canada, was another LAN idea and it was on display at last year’s LAD. It put a real ‘face’ on literacy and we hope new stories keep coming and the book continues to grow.

LAN actively supports the creation of provincial and territorial Learner Networks. Arlene MacLowick, MCL’s Learner Coordinator, has compiled a manual with information to help all coalitions create or strengthen their own provincial Learner Network. We hope there will soon be a core group in each region, so that all learners have access to a community sympathetic to their needs. LAN is a dynamic group dedicated to empowering all adult learners. We are grateful for the encouragement and support of our local coalitions and MCL staff, particularly Executive Director Wendy DesBrisay and our mentor, Arlene. All have with loving kindness, brought out the best in those who have served as LAN representatives.

Janet McLeod
LAN Chair