Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is coming to Yellowknife!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) is a free, monthly book-gifting program for children ages 0-5. Each month age-appropriate book is sent directly to the mailboxes of registered children, personally addressed to the child. The program inspires a love of reading among families and has been warmly received in many communities across the territory. Since 2012, The NWT Literacy Council has been working hard to be able to offer this program for every NWT child. We are very excited to announce that starting in October 2023; the program will now be…
Introduction: Grayce
From the Philippines, to Saipan, to the U.S., then Canada: these are the places where my footprints have been. My life has been painted by these places, diversified by culture, people, values, and differences which I have assimilated and which have become part of who I am. Life has always been a continuing journey for me. Every stop means a reset, being planted in the soil, withstanding the elements, and becoming woven into the local culture and people. The memories and the wisdom I have gained in every place are downloaded in my memory buckets ready to be…
Hi, my name is Uma, and I am delighted to share my experience with NWTLC.
Hi, my name is Uma, and I am delighted to share my experience with NWTLC. I joined the Literacy Council in 2015 as an Office Manager, and I am now transitioning to a new role on the Family Literacy team. My time with NWTLC has been incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to take on this new challenge within the organization. Throughout my time with NWTLC, I have had the privilege of working with and learning from numerous dedicated and talented individuals. I take pride in the work we have accomplished together, and I am eager to carry…
Lost & Found: Pandemic Stories of Discovery as Told by Kids in Canada
March 2020 is likely a memorable date for most people. It was the date that formal announcements of the COVID-19 global pandemic began to change and impact the lives of many Canadians. The world came to (what felt like) an abrupt halt as we adapted our routines and habits to keep ourselves (and each other!) safe. It certainly was a unique and “unprecedented” period in history. Three years later, there is no shortage of archived documentation of our collective navigation of this surreal experience. News headlines, research articles, blogs, tweets, and social…
Are you in?
February is Indigenous Languages Month (ILM) in the Northwest Territories, but we’ve extended our Bingo challenge until March 10! We want everyone to have a chance to learn, speak, share and live NWT's Indigenous languages. This year’s ILM theme is “I’m in”, as in, I will participate! I will take part! Indigenous Languages Month isn’t just for the NWT’s fluent speakers; it’s also for non-Indigenous folks. ILM is an opportunity for anyone to demonstrate good intentions and respect. It’s for local Indigenous people who haven’t had a chance to learn their…
I’m all in!
Guest blog by Liz Liske, Yellowknives Dene First Nation member, descendant of the Tatsǫ́t’ıné (Copper) people that surround Great Slave Lake from Chief Drygeese Territory, Somba K’e also known as Yellowknife, NT in the Akaitcho Region. Grand-daughter of Elise and Antoine Liske from Akaitcho Region; of Adele and George Hardisty from Dehcho Region. Daughter of Ethel and Philip Liske. Dene languages come from the land, so it’s appropriate to associate a language learning journey with taking a trip out on the land. There will be good and bad challenges, so…
I Am In…
…In celebration of Indigenous Languages Month. Let’s begin with daht’e? How are you? Would you love to speak more than one language? I would love to speak several languages! I remember Father Pochat, our late priest in Behchoko, spoke seven languages. As a child I was amazed with his talent, even more that he learned to speak Tłı̨chǫ and read it. Speaking more than one language can have benefits for everyone. Language is powerful; it provides a path of communication, builds relationships and creates connections to communities. Father Pochat proved that as he…
February is Black History Month
Years of working with underrepresented communities, and belonging to one himself, has taught Ambe Chenemu the value of one word: empowerment. Going on three years now, Chenemu has been the president and founder of the Black Advocacy Coalition, also known as BACupNorth. The coalition advocates for issues relevant to Black people in the North and supports the socio-economic development of the Black community. Community support is key As the coalition is a small, volunteer-based organization, community involvement is important. Thankfully, the…
Books by Black Authors to Read in 2023
In celebration of Black History Month, Black Advocacy Coalition (BACupNorth) has gathered a collection of books written by Black authors from around the world. The books on this list span many genres -- from historical fiction and autobiography, to sci-fi and more. Some stories tackle complex issues such as intergenerational trauma, racism and reclaiming one’s identity. Others celebrate love, community, and resilience. One thing they all have in common is the ability to pull readers in from the first sentence. Fifteen Dogs, by Canadian author Andre…
Family Literacy Day 2023
Family Literacy Day started in 1999 to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family. It has continued annually to this day. Family Literacy Day is coming up on Friday January 27th and we have some exciting interactive activities organized for families here in the North! The national theme for 2023 is “Celebrate your Heritage”. We are excited about this theme as we have so many diverse cultures to celebrate and learn about in the Northwest Territories. This theme creates the…
Farewell and thank you to PGI
After 36 years, we bid farewell to the Peter Gzowski Invitationals for Literacy (PGI) at the end of 2022. The Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy (PGFL) has followed the changes in fundraising and capacity over the years and has decided that their financial support can be better used to help literacy programs directly rather than supporting fundraisers. We look forward to seeing the new shape that their work takes. In 1986, Peter Gzowski, host of CBC Radio’s Morningside, pledged to raise one million dollars for literacy projects through golf…
NWT Literacy Council Staff’s 2023 reading list
To complete our holiday book blogs, we are happy to share what we are looking forward to reading in 2023. To see our 2022 holiday book selections, check out the blogs here and here. Conversations with a Rattlesnake by Theo Fleury and Kim Barthel The NWT Literacy Council recently attended a workshop in Vancouver run by one of the authors of Conversations with a Rattlesnake, Kim Barthel. The other author, Theo Fleury, is a former NHL hockey player who I remember watching play as kid. I read the first book by Theo Fleury, Playing with Fire, and am eager…
NWT Literacy Council Staff’s Book Recommendations 2022, Part 2
NWT Literacy Council staff have an annual tradition of sharing suggestions for books we are giving as gifts during the holidays, books we have enjoyed reading in the last year, or books we are looking forward to next year. We hope you enjoyed our first set of recommended books here. Check out our third list on January 5, 2023 to see what we will be reading in the new year. The Expectant Father by Armin A Brott and Jennifer Ash Over this holiday season, there are numerous books I am hoping to read. While this book may not be applicable to everyone, I am…
NWT Literacy Council Staff’s Book Recommendations 2022, Part 1
Each December, NWT Literacy Council staff share books we have enjoyed reading this year, books we will be giving as holiday gifts or books we look forward to reading in the next year. We are excited to share our 2022 book picks with you! Check back on Thursday December 22 for our second set of suggestions, and on January 5, 2023 to see what we will be reading in the new year. Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad I found this book while looking for resources to explain the concept of time for young readers. I was immediately drawn to the fun and colourful…
Don’t let #GivingTuesday pass you by!
The holiday season is upon us. Our mailboxes and inboxes are beginning to fill with ads and flyers for Black Friday and Cyber Monday megadeals. Following this whirlwind weekend of sales is another important date to be aware of: Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a special day that celebrates the impact of collective generosity. It’s a day that encourages people to use their time or financial resources to give back to communities in which they live, or to organizations that they value. Giving Tuesday is November 29, 2022. This year, the NWT Literacy…