As with any endeavour of this magnitude, numerous people have been involved and must be thanked for their contributions to this initiative. First and foremost, sincere appreciation is extended to the Aboriginal literacy program coordinators and practitioners who participated in the research. They gave generously of one of their most valuable commodities — their time. Their passion for their work made us conscious of the fact that time with us was time away from the learners and students who have been their primary professional preoccupation.

A debt of gratitude is also owed to Yeshu Naidoo, executive-director of the Step by Step Early Learning Centre in the First Nations community of Kahnawake who shared her ideas in the early development of the project and provided confident and competent support in sponsorship during the duration of the project. The administrative support of her staff was also key to the smooth running of the project.

The compilation of information and analysis evident in The Language of Literacy would not have been possible without significant contributions from three professional consultants. To Priscilla George of Toronto whose commitment to the issue of literacy and empowerment, and profound insights into education and the whole person, a warm thank you for the development of Chapters Four and Five and for adding to the bank of program information. Loretta Belanger of Edmonton and Virginia Thomas of Montreal also contributed their professional competence, skills and patience in the development of the program profiles and are owed and given our gratitude for their important involvement.

A number of other professionals contributed to the preparation of this Resource Directory in editing and compiling information, providing feedback and critical analysis and constant encouragement. To Skip Brooks of Ottawa, Susan Mundy of Orleans, and Jack Sterken of London, Jim Turner of Pixel Graphics, Gilles Marchildon, Wendy Reger, Heather Geddie and Susan Nagasaka of Winnipeg, our appreciation for your important contributions.

Finally, a vote of heartfelt thanks to Jim MacLaren of the National Literacy Secretariat who provided encouragement and unfailing support to this initiative and remains fully committed to ensuring that Aboriginal peoples have equal access to literacy resources in Canada.

Thanks to all, Chi - Meegwetch,