National Adult Literacy Database

March 19, 2001

Nellie Kippenhuck lives in Port Hope Simpson, Labrador, with her mom and older brother. She has 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Since she has been at the PHS Learning Centre, she has more confidence in herself and likes to take part and be involved in the Learning Centre programs and in the community. Nellie loves to ride snowmobiles and do crafts. She works at a pottery studio «Moulder of Dreams» and enjoys it very much. One of the things they make is an Inukshut which means «likeness of a person» in Inukhuk (Inuit language). Inukshuk are made from various sizes of rock slabs joined together to form the shape of a person. Nellie would like to encourage all learners to keep reaching toward their goals and their dreams will come true.

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Nellie's Story

by Nellie Kippenhuck

I quit school when I was 17 years old, I really liked school but I had a big problem keeping up with the rest of the class. I guess you could say I was a slow learner. I started to go to the Learning Centre in 1992-93.

I was in the Creative Initiatives program that was offered at the Centre in 94-95 which was full-time, the same as day school. I took part in the Literacy Conference in Goose Bay in the Fall of 1995 and I enjoyed it very much. I went to St. John's in April 1998 for a conference, I met some really nice people there. I like to be involved and enjoy learning new things.

I would like to encourage anyone to come to our Learning Centre and see what we have available. One of the best things I like about the Centre is you can learn what you want and at your own level, take that step and be involved.

[This story was taken with permission, from A Way Back, a collection of stories and oral histories from Labrador, page 19.]