NWT Literacy Week is September 22 to 28. Each year NWT residents spend the last week of September participating in fun literacy events and promoting the development of essential skills. Our theme for NWT Literacy Week this year is: Celebrate Indigenous Languages!
The United Nations declared 2019 The International Year of Indigenous Languages. All year long we have promoted this special occasion during our events. We hope that everyone will take time during the week to learn, share and promote the Indigenous languages of the NWT.
We are happy to provide small grants for community events during NWT Literacy Week again this year. Community organizations can apply for event grants of up to $300. Grants are provided on a first come, first served basis, with one grant per community. We’re already seeing creative ideas from applicants for celebrating Indigenous languages. To apply for a grant, complete this Google docs form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYAOnOq9xRlqU4vdA8dJDwqhK6hG-u-PF28wGvfGIfXXh2TQ/viewform
The NWT Literacy Council created new language development resources which we will share on our website and on social media throughout NWT Literacy Week. We will also host a Facebook challenge that we hope you will take part in. If you complete each daily challenge you will be entered in a draw for a prize pack.
Here are some ideas for celebrating NWT Literacy Week at home, at school, at work, and in your community.
- Host a game night. Invite friends to bring their favourite snack. See if you can play your favourite games in your Indigenous language.
- Ask an Elder to join your class, or visit elders in your community.
- Download an Indigenous language app.
- Plan a Community Feast. Encourage people to label foods in their language. Play music in your Indigenous language and encourage people to use their language.
- Host a Community Book Swap. Ask people to bring northern and Indigenous language books to share.
— Katie Johnson, Family and Community Literacy Coordinator
