January 27 marked Canada’s Family Literacy Day! To celebrate, our Indigenous Adult Learning and Literacy program hosted a reading workshop for women and their families to promote reading at home and further literacy abilities in both English and Wolastoqey. This wonderful opportunity fosters community connection through language, helping build accessible knowledge of indigenous culture. Indigenous languages are specific to the land, culture, and people and it is meaningful to have First Nations people to again express themselves in a language that reflects our values and traditions. The workshop gave an opportunity to practice without concern of scrutiny of their level of ability and was a great way to achieve the ultimate goal of normalizing literary learning at all levels.
Another special activity was coordinated through our Traditional Teaching Fund, where participants had the opportunity to create their own dreamcatcher. This craft is a beautiful token of one of our traditions, and learning about the practice, with the appropriate stories and traditional meaning, is extremely important in rebuilding a connection to culture. This year, the workshop was held at the Gignoo Transition House. Transition House is a refuge for women and children leaving difficult or sometimes violent relationships. Gignoo provides a culturally relevant refuge, comfort, and safe time for healing. Feeling connected to our culture during a difficult time can carry a value that continues to help heal long after.
JEDI's Indigenous Adult Learning & Literacy (IALL) training program helps Indigenous peoples achieve their goals by linking them to opportunities to obtain their GED, links to master the 9 Workplace Essential Skills, Upskills for Work, Financial Literacy, and/or enhance their computer skills. Indigenous Traditional teachings and ways of knowing can be added to your community workshops through JEDI’s Traditional Teaching Fund. The Indigenous Adult Learning & Literacy program will support traditional teaching activities in collaboration with provincial Workplace Essential Skills (WES) and Adult Learning and Literacy initiatives for Indigenous learners.
For more information or to book your Literary Workshop, please reach out to Tricia Chase at JEDI.
Tricia Chase: tricia.chase@jedinb.ca
JEDI: 506-444-5650