Blog

This week’s blog was written by Christine Abela, the adult educator in Fort Liard. Our family doesn’t follow many house rules.  It’s OK if boots stay on to run in and grab forgotten keys; it’s OK if a jacket hangs over the back of a chair; it’s even OK if the dog is on the couch.  The one house rule we do follow is stop, drop and read.  My partner named our one house rule when he found me… Read more.

  Our guest blog was submitted by Amy Ryan and Larissa Doyle, with the Healthy Families Program in Fort Smith. Every week we bring together parents and preschoolers for Circle Time at Tapwe House in Fort Smith. Circle Time adapts the NWT Literacy Council parent-child program – 1 -2-3 Rhyme With Me.  Circle Time includes singing, rhymes, storytelling, puppet shows, crafts and free time for… Read more.

Welcome to our guest blogger, Jim Stauffer.  Jim is an adult educator in Whatı̀. As I contemplated Adult Learners’ Week this year, I recalled some of my own failures and successes at fulfilling the trust adult learners place in me when they come to the Community Learning Centre.  Once again the writing of revolutionary educator, Ivan Illich,* came to my mind.  He accused schools of teaching… Read more.

This week’s guest blog comes from Christine Abela, the adult educator in Fort Liard. It is International Adult Learners’ Week April 11 to 19!  Let’s take a few moments to appreciate adults who make improving literacy a priority in their lives.   As an adult educator, I am lucky to be a part of the lifelong learning process for many people.  First, I have to say how much I admire the courage of… Read more.

Last week Lisa Campbell wrote about her daughter’s struggle to learn to read.  Maria was diagnosed with dyslexia in grade two – but only after her parents did their own research and paid for testing themselves. Luckily we caught it early.  Cheryl, the Executive Director of KC Dyslexic Learning Centre in Winnipeg, told us her story.  Her daughter struggled all through elementary school.  She was… Read more.

Guest blogger Lisa Campbell is a former NWT Literacy Council staff member.  She continues to do contract work with us.  I’ve worked in the education field for over 20 years and specifically in literacy for 15 years.  I was certain that my daughter would be reading by the age of five. I read to Maria on the day that she came home from the hospital and I don’t think there has been a day that… Read more.

There’s good news about Aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories. Participants at an Aboriginal language networking workshop were inspired last week by three young people attempting to learn their Aboriginal language. This week CBC north highlighted a new Cree cooking show and the 17 people in the Dehcho involved in a University of Victoria language revitalization program. At last… Read more.

  Dëneze Nakehk'o captured the feeling at the Weaving our Wisdom: A Territorial Wellness Gathering in his comment “wellness is the jackpot”.  That was his response to one participant who joked that one conference activity resembled BINGO.  A strong, healthy, collaborative north is the best prize any of us can hope for. Participants traveled to the gathering from all 33 NWT communities.  They… Read more.

Everyone can celebrate NWT Aboriginal Languages Month.  It’s as easy as talking to a baby or toddler in one of our Aboriginal languages. We know it’s easier to learn a language when we are young, so do the baby in your life a favour.  Help them learn their language while it’s easiest for them – before they are five years old.  Help them hear as much of their language as possible in the earliest… Read more.

  The NWT Literacy Council is thrilled to announce a pan-northern project that brings new skill-building opportunities to northerners. We'll work with the Yukon Literacy Coalition and Ilitaqsiniq-Nunavut Literacy Council to embed literacy and essential skills in current and new training programs related to natural resources, tourism and the service industry.  Each literacy council will take… Read more.