Literacy is one of the most urgent issues facing the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. However, low literacy levels must compete for attention with desperate situations in housing (e.g. overcrowding), health (e.g. diabetes), education (e.g. high dropout rate), substance abuse and violence. Nevertheless, substantial gains in functional literacy would unquestionably lead to improvements in all of the above problems. While the most obvious influence of Literacy Enhancement would be improved employment prospects and career opportunities, it would be the indirect benefits that would, over time, have the most valuable impacts. For instance, improved literacy that leads to better governance, preventative medicine, heightened self-esteem and healing is the same path that guides us to self-determination and self-reliance. Recognizing the important role that literacy could play in the improvement of the lives of Aboriginal Canadians, the Native Education Centre in Vancouver, partnered with CODE, a renowned non-governmental organization with more than 40 years experience in literacy training to produce a long term Strategic Plan. “Literacy training is an integral part of the long-term education process here at the Centre”, says director Grace Mirehouse. “Both our urban and on-reserve training programs are built on the recognition that functional literacy levels must be achieved before the full impact of the training program can be realized.” The Components in Aboriginal Literacy Aboriginal literacy, like issues such as healing, good governance, or healthcare, is complex and typically involves numerous stakeholders and funding sources, a range of cultural perspectives and multiple community and individual needs. A well executed strategy attempts to identify and assess the range of issues, address them both individually and collectively and then integrate the interdependent solutions into a comprehensive plan. Over the next 10 months, a study team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal professionals will work in collaboration with a national Coalition of Aboriginal Learner Centres to prepare a 10-year Aboriginal Literacy Enhancement Initiative. “Of course we don’t want this plan to sit on the shelf,” says project director James MacGregor. “Therefore we will work closely with Aboriginal Learner Centres, provincial government literacy representatives and a variety of literacy based associations and coalitions that are either directly or indirectly involved in Aboriginal literacy. And we must also solicit greater commitment from the private sector to integrate literacy upgrading into workplace education.”
Low literacy capacity is increasingly understood as a barrier to on-the-job training and other human resource development initiatives. Mrs. Ethel Blondin-Andrews, a champion of adult literacy training and Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic noted that “with two diamond mines opening in Yellowknife we have the potential to generate unprecedented job opportunities for our people. The companies are prepared to meet the job quotas and provide the training but the applicants lack the literacy skills…I wonder how many times this scenario is repeated across Canada each year?” A Multilevel Approach to Literacy Enhancement A successful Literacy Enhancement Initiative will necessitate addressing literacy at a number of different levels. In the initial report Determining the issues, defining the approach, developing the process, the study team identified the following twenty components to comprehending Aboriginal Literacy. At this time, they include, but are not limited to the following: Focusing on Community-based programming; Preparing Distinct Aboriginal Training and Curriculum Material; Design and Construction of adequate Learner Centres; Developing Partnerships and Strategic Alliances; Capacity Building for Aboriginal Practitioners; Improved Funding and Resource Allocation; Meeting the Needs of the Learner (child care, transportation, peer counselling, etc.); Accredited Aboriginal-centered/administered Programs; Expanded Aboriginal and Government Leadership for Literacy; Serving those with Disabilities; Extending Prison Literacy Program Initiatives; Motivation of the Learner; Incorporating Aboriginal Values and Language; Expanded Distance Learning; Increased use of current/emerging Technologies; Aboriginal Literacy Stakeholders Communication Network and Clearinghouse; Improved Public Awareness and Communication Strategy; Aboriginal based Literacy Research, Assessment Techniques and Monitoring; Identification and Implementation of Best Practices and Pilot Projects; and Corporate Leadership and Workplace Education Program Development. The Enhancement Initiative will provide a blueprint for the private and public sectors to focus their efforts and substantially improve their ‘return on investment’ for funds dedicated to literacy. The final document, to be provided on the eve of the new millennium, will therefore reflect the hopes and aspirations for a literate and self-reliant people in the next century. If you have a program or an experience that you wish to share, then we are anxious to know about it. It is important for us to appreciate the issues and concerns of all stakeholders involved in the delivery of Aboriginal and non - Aboriginal Literacy Programs. For more information, access to our newsletter, current status and findings of our activities, please do not hesitate to contact: Aboriginal Literacy Enhancement Initiative |