My summer job with the NWT Literacy Council was an exceptionally diverse work experience. It was also an enlightening entry point to the NWT for a new northerner like me.
I was unsure of what to expect from this summer position when I first began in June. I had never really held a true ‘office job’ which left me questioning what my summer would look like.
Now, at the end of my summer at the NWT literacy Council, it’s difficult to describe a typical workday. This is due to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the job.
The Council is involved in literacy programs for youth, families, adults and new Canadians. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in a variety of public events in different communities within the Northwest Territories.
Nearly every week I was out of the office at some event or activity. I went to workshops, but the most fun was getting to know Yellowknife and Yellowknifers along with participants in the Community Connections program. I went to potluck picnics and lunches, art workshops, hikes, plant walks and even a fishing trip—all as part of my job.
The highlight for me was getting to go on the Bison Bus to Fort Smith and Enterprise. This mobile family literacy centre took books and activities to families south of Great Slave Lake. For me, it was highly rewarding and valuable. It certainly wasn’t what I had expected from my ‘office job’. I encourage anyone interested in this kind of work to pursue opportunities with the NWT Literacy Council.
— Jeremy Mousseau is now back at Vancouver Island University completing his Bachelor of Education
