Best Practice #10: Culture
A quality adult literacy and basic education program appreciates and respects
the diverse cultures of the learners and incorporates them into the program.
At
the Fort Resolution Community Learning Centre, all learners are Aboriginal:
most of them are Chipewyan. The program recognizes the importance of valuing
learners’ culture and, most importantly, of listening to learners’
own cultural knowledge and perspectives. Most reading material used in the adult
literacy program is Aboriginal. Traditional knowledge is taught through the
Science and Social Studies curricula. The program encourages learners to take
part in local cultural events sponsored by the Chipewyan Language Working Group.
Weekly Chipewyan classes have been offered in the past. Learners are free to
choose their own topics for writing and research assignments, so many involve
Chipewyan culture. Some learners write messages regularly on the white boards
in Chipewyan. Elders’ storytelling is incorporated into various literacy
events, and Elders’ stories were collected and published in the 2003 Echoes
and Whispers booklets. The centre has northern content
posters and learners’ artwork on its walls.
Best Practice #11: Community
A quality adult literacy and basic education program ensures a strong community
focus by being engaged in the community and actively engaging the community
in the program.