Revisiting Socially Distant Family Literacy
With all schools in Yellowknife, Ndilo, Dettah and Behchokǫ̀ closed and all children’s extra-curricular activities cancelled, families are thinking about the many days at home and how to pass the time together. As a parent at home with my three- and five-year-olds, I’ve been trying to think of activities we can do. I decided to revisit a blog post I wrote last year, hoping it helps other families. I would love to hear your ideas as well. From March 17, 2020: This time of social distancing is a great opportunity to do some special family literacy activities at…
“When I was your age …”
Most instructors and students who experienced the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years will remember these years. They’ll pass their stories down to future generations. "When I was your age …", "Remember when … ". Much like the current stories about the Spanish flu of 1918. In March 2020, college and university life everywhere changed dramatically from face-to-face learning to online learning and then, in some cases, to small group learning. Some students had to suspend formal learning altogether as they grappled with the new realities that COVID-19…
NWT Literacy Week 2021
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 many breathtaking parts of the NWT. It was lovely to see each of these special places and to read why people love them so much. Congratulations to our five prize pack…
What’s New with Skill Builders for Youth?
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 - reading, writing, numeracy, document use, oral communication, thinking skills, working with others, computer use, and continuous learning - and how to embed these…
Newcomers Learning on the Land
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 Vietnam six years ago, said, “I was amazed she (Cathy) did the igloo alone. She was so strong and good. She showed how she glued the ice when she heard…
NWT Literacy Week 2021: Literacy on the Land
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 Indigenous language, Taking classroom-based learning outside, Putting up a Story Walk © around your community for families to visit and read on their own, Learning about…
April is Oral Health Month!
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 print off and use with your children. Celebrate with us by enjoying oral health craft time with your children. Then talk about the importance of keeping your gums and…
For a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
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 Smith was to see Richard sign and gift his book to families in attendance in the same gym where he ran around decades before as a young child. We never could have…
Reading Together: Bedtime stories from fathers in jail
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 facility. Over the last two weeks, 11 fathers have participated in the program, creating bedtime reading kits for 22 children. One goal of this project is to provide…
HIPPY, Literacy, and a Mother’s Story
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 forward to every motor activity that gets them up and moving, a lot! The program has brought a different dynamic in the HIPPY home that strengthens…
Fun Family Activities for March Break
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 around the NWT Enjoy some great March events and festivals, both in-person and online. K'atl'odeeche First Nation will host the K’amba Carnival March 1–7. This…
Huvi or Suvi?
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 use an ‘h’ sound or ‘s’ sound in certain words. For example, “huvi” or “suvi” for “what?” Growing up with family from so many different regions, I felt torn about which…
Language: Why is it Important?
Growing up, all I ever spoke was English. I heard my mom often say odd words in other languages that I later found out were Cree and Inuktitut . My father hosted radio shows and always talked to my grannie in a language I never understood: Chipewyan. My father is a residential school survivor. He was shamed for speaking his language. He decided not to teach us how to speak Chipewyan for fear that we would also be shamed for speaking it. Today I am 27 years old and bilingual. I speak English and Spanish. I work a lot in advocating for the importance of…
Dǫne Yatìi is our Lifeline
Sì Stacey Sundberg Siyeh, Semò Marò, Setá Brian, Ehtsì Mary Louise Drygeese, Ehtsè John Drygeese Mahsì cho Elders always say the best way to introduce yourself is in your language, and always acknowledge your grandparents and/or your great-grandparents, so I always remind youth and children to do so also! The best advice is the elders’ advice!! Dene languages in the North are our lifeline. We must continue them here for our children and their children, so they have a better quality of life. With our Dene culture and languages intact, we show…
Standardised Dene: Yes or No?
Politicians loudly and proudly declare their support for language revitalization. CBC loves a good fluff story about a young person learning their language. The public school system claims they have integrated Dene and Inuit languages and culture into the classroom (Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit). Yet I can only count a handful of youth my own age (24) who can understand, let alone speak, their native tongue. We are not raising the next generation with their Indigenous languages. The only data I can find on Indigenous language rates in the NWT are from census (…