Literacy Notes North of 60:
Prince of Wales Northern
Heritage CentreBARB CAMERON, CURATOR OF EDUCATION AND
EXTENSION SERVICESThe Reading the Museum program has assisted the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in making connections with local community and literacy organizations in Yellowknife.
In 1993, the Centre was awarded funds to work with the Native Theatre Group and Adult Education Centres on a literacy project involving drama and storytelling. Students worked with theatre director John Blondin to write their own stories and perform them for the public at the Northern Heritage Centre during the 1993 Literacy Week. In 1995, a Reading the Museum workshop brought people together from the museum, visitor centres, educational and literacy organizations and band councils to discuss community literacy issues. Facilitated by Jenifer McVaugh of Storylinks, the workshop provided a forum for sharing experiences and exploring different ways to create better connections between museums and communities.
As Carla Bullinger, a literacy instructor at Aurora College, reports:
"The Reading The Museum workshop was a g,reat success! It was a wonderful opportunity tomeet other individuals interested in exploring the links between literacy and the museum. I was never aware of the potential the museum could offer literacy students and instructors. I am looking forward to exploring these opportunities and experimenting with students and the museum staff in the new academic year "
Three participants working for the Yellowknives Dene Band brought questions and ideas about a unique project.
Funded by the Government of the Northwest Territories Community Literacy Projects Fund, it involves the development of a travelling edukit on Dene Drums, designed for adult education centres within Treaty Eight communities in the Western Arctic. The following are comments from some participants involved in this project.
"The Departnwnt of Education, Culture and Employment of the Government of the N. W T is pleased to support the Yellowknives Dene Band project because it provides for the development of local, culturally relevant, educational materials for adult literacy students. These types of initiatives recognize traditional aboriginal knowledge as an essential component in the development of curriculum in the north. The partnership between the Yellowknives Dene Band and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is an exceptional example of sharing resources and knowledge. "
-Cate Sills, Manager, Literacy and Adult Basic Education"Before I started working on the drum project, I didn't know much about it. But now I'm actually learning more about it, the meaning of the drum. The kit itself will continue on and develop and grow for our younger children. "
-Mary Joan Sangris, Project Staff, Dettah"The interviews were scary, but we learned about how to give thanks to the birch, caribou, to Mother Nature, Mother Earth, what she has to offer. It was scary - going into the unknown like I'd like to know but I didn't really want to hear about. But so far we are rolling along. We have all our plans and schedule in place for the remainder of the project. It's coming along well, slowly.
"For me, the reason, my main purpose for it is for my children, grandchildren, and descendants to retain their culture so they don't lose it. So it lasts for centuries. "
-Mary Rose Sangris, Project Staff, N'dilo"One of the reasons I'm worklng on this project is to do something for myself , for my knowledge of my own People, spiritually. When I met with elders I learnedtlhat I want to know more from other people. I'll pass it on. Our people will learn from this project, adults and kids. I got a lot of material from the Archives and it was great!"
-Louise Delorme, Project Staff, Yellowknife"I believe in this project - for survival - the drum,the songs, the stories. It gives life and love for future generations. It's something worth working and givlng for. It gives an oportunity for People to come together and talk and listen to each other. This is healing for aboriginal people - right now."
-Lorraine Erikson, Education Coordinator,
Yellowknife Dene Band, YellowknifeAs the Curator of Education and Extension Services, I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Yellowknives Dene Band in producing this kit. The museum is providing technical support and advice from education, exhibits, and conservation staff, as well as training on how to do research using the N.W.T. Archives. The Dene drum kit will be a worthwhile addition to the collection of heritage education resources we circulate to communities who cannot visit the museum. I hope this project will inspire partnership with other groups and museums.