Blog

I hope that everyone had a wonderful NWT Literacy Week this year! It was great to see all of the creative ways that communities celebrated the week with our theme of Literacy on the Land. NWTLC hosted two territory-wide events, outdoor events in Yellowknife, and provided funding and prizes for events in communities around the NWT. Our NWT-wide photo contest had 59 entries, and showed off so… Read more.

I’ve recently started transitioning from my role as Family and Community Literacy Coordinator to the role of Youth Literacy Coordinator, and I’m learning lots about the Skills Builders for Youth (SBY) program and all of the great projects happening around the territory. Each year the NWT Literacy Council hosts SBY training. Participants from around the NWT learn about the nine essential skills… Read more.

When I organize activities for new immigrants, I try to introduce them to uniquely northern experiences.  In late March, Narwal Outdoor Adventures did seven show-and-tell sessions on northern topics, including igloo building, northern animals, and harvesting furs, for almost 60 adults and children.  Here are some of the reflections from the immigrants who participated. Duyen, who came from… Read more.

We are looking forward to NWT Literacy Week April 11-17! This year the theme is Literacy on the Land, and we encourage NWT residents to spend time learning outside. Being on the land uses many literacies and provides many learning opportunities. Some ideas for events and activities during the week are: Hosting cultural activities on the land and encouraging participants to practice your… Read more.

After a year of social distancing and isolation, we could use more reasons to smile. Here are two reasons: Spring is coming and April is Oral Health Month! This year we want to celebrate with you by sharing some of the resources we’ve created at NWT Literacy Council for children and their families to enjoy. Find activity sheets, craft ideas, and brushing charts in French and English that you can… Read more.

NWTLC’s oral health literacy project adapted in ways we never could have expected when the project began over a year and a half ago. In fact, just over a year ago we were sitting down for lunch in Fort Smith with Richard Van Camp, anticipating our next visit to unveil Richard’s latest book, Our Ever Awesome NWT Brushing Song!  A highlight of our mini-tour through Hay River, Kátł'odeeche, and Fort… Read more.

With International Read to Me Day coming up on March 19, it is fitting that NWT Literacy Council (NWTLC) is completing our Reading Together project this week. The project, funded by the GNWT’s Healthy Choices Fund, has been a partnership with the North Slave Correctional Complex (NSCC). NSCC Programs staff and NWTLC staff have worked together to create a supportive program for fathers in the… Read more.

HIPPY, Literacy, and a Mother’s Story The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) in Yellowknife is now on its third month and making waves of positive literacy change in the homes.  Moms express excitement about how their children are reading more, writing more, and learning new concepts in Math and Science.  Children love the hands-on activities and most of all look… Read more.

It is that time of year again! March Break is almost upon us.  Although we might be missing some of our usual March activities -- like festivals, hockey tournaments and trips out of town -- there are still lots of great ways to enjoy a break here in the NWT at home, outside and in your community. Check out these ideas to make the most of your family time this March! In-person and virtual events… Read more.

I grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, before Nunavut had become its own again. Although many Inuit lived, and still live, in Yellowknife, most of my family live in the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions. I grew up hearing Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut dialects all the way from the western to central to eastern arctic. Among the many dialectal differences, one of the main ones is whether you… Read more.