Blog

  Every year I face the same Christmas gift dilemma.  How do I respect the ritual gift giving and avoid the consumer hype that’s so much a part of the holiday season? Here are just some of the reasons to put the brakes on Christmas shopping. Consumer debt.   A third of Canadians spend more than they can afford on Christmas gifts. Too much stuff.  No one I know needs the latest hot gift, a… Read more.

You can see people’s imagination run wild with their own creations amidst the construction paper, markers, blunt scissors, glue sticks, and googley eyes.   This is what makes family literacy activities so much fun.  Working in the field of family literacy is like celebrating National Child Day every day. Most of our work supports families and programs to carry out such activities in NWT… Read more.

November is financial literacy month.  We have healthier relationships, and better mental and physical health when we are free of financial problems.  Our ability to manage our finances, in a way that makes us comfortable and in control, helps us reach our goals. There’s a new booklet with great information and advice for anyone sharing financial literacy information.  I wish I had read Welcome… Read more.

Ever asked yourself if you might want to start your own business? Many adult learners across the NWT are asking themselves that question after taking part in a new Aurora College course. Start Your Own Small Business¸ Part 1 of the new six-week course, was developed by the NWT Literacy Council and pilot-tested in Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Tsiigehtchic this spring to rave reviews.  It’s now being… Read more.

Going to conferences is a great way to learn about the latest research in the field of literacy and find out how the work we do stacks up with what others are doing around the country. Brain development, play, community kitchens and father involvement were some of the subjects of great family literacy workshops at the 2014 Literacy & Learning Symposium in Edmonton last week. I spent three… Read more.

There’s more to Halloween than candy Doing crafts benefits children in several different ways.  For instance, crafts help children improve fine motor skills and coordination, follow instructions, and explore ideas. Crafts are fun and a great way to bond with your child while creating something together.  Crafts promote self-regulation; waiting for glue to dry is a lesson in patience.  Children… Read more.

The PGI for Literacy last week was a whirlwind for the NWT Literacy Council.  Our eight southern performers and northern musicians took their literacy message to 11 schools in Behchokǫ̀, Ndilo and Yellowknife, one adult literacy program, the Avens Cottages Territorial Dementia Centre, Yellowknife Association for Community Living and the North Slave Young Offender Facility.  We also organized… Read more.

Next week we celebrate the 2014 NWT PGI for Literacy.  PGI stands for Peter Gzowski Invitational. I urge you to come out to PGI events next week because we believe there’s fun in fundraising. On Monday, October 6, at 6 pm enjoy free food and entertainment at the Premier’s Feast at the Chief Drygeese Centre, in Dettah.  Tuesday and Wednesday, October 7 and 8, at 7 pm there will be two different… Read more.

We set aside seven days each year to think about the many ways literacy impacts our lives.  It’s an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of students and supporters, to learn new things and to join with our community to share in learning. At the NWT Literacy Council, we look forward to this week each year.  It’s exciting to see what community groups do to celebrate, and to see people from… Read more.

Guest Blog by Karen Pryznyk, Coordinator of Food First Foundation The tagline on a recent series of chocolate bar ads goes, “You’re not you when you’re hungry”.  It’s true.  Hunger changes you from a reasonable, functioning person to someone who is tired, impatient and unproductive.  How often have you recognized these symptoms in yourself or your children?  What is the solution?  Hint: it is… Read more.