The program coordination segment of the course will consist of classroom theory presentation followed by work placement practice. It will last for 18 weeks, with women moving between the job and the classroom on a weekly basis to learn and practice skills like needs assessment, program objective writing, evaluation, and proposal writing.

Women selected for CPC come from communities in the north-central part of Saskatchewan. They range in age from 21-50. Some have experienced the social problems that they will learn to help others cope with - alcohol abuse, battery, child abuse and neglect. Most are single parents, two are helping to raise their grandchildren. Some have virtually no work experience outside the home, and those who have had jobs in the paid labour force have not worked recently. Many of the women selected are strong community leaders, and it is hoped they will be able to use the knowledge and skills they obtain to further community-controlled and directed development in their home towns and villages.

On the academic side, abilities range from a rudimentary ability to read and write through GED 12 and some university level classes. Most of the women would not qualify for ABE courses because they function below the grade 8 level. The CPC program provides them with an opportunity to develop skills they can use in a job situation, while helping them upgrade their academic qualifications as well. Attainment of some level of the GED is an academic objective of the program. While in the program, the women will be employees of the La Ronge Native Women's Council. They will be paid minimum wage, which amounts to $180/week.

Successful as they are, these two programs merely signal the immense need in Northern Saskatchewan for literacy programs for women. Even those not admitted to the CPC found the information they garnered at their interview about other educational and training options and social assistance helped them realize they did have more choices and options than they had believed. Those who did not complete their program still learned how to gather information that can help them make decisions; they have increased their confidence and trust in themselves. Even these "small" changes reverberate as the women carry on their crucial role as the main community organizers in northern society and serve as positive role models for others with whom they have contact. Most important, these programs provide the women with an enhanced sense of self-respect and the understanding that they have the right to change their world in ways they deem important This is the core of effective literacy programming; for northern Saskatchewan, these programs are a good start.

¹ Paulo Freire, Cultural Action for Freedom (Harmon worth: Penguin, 1972), 30-43.

²According to a study done by Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research, almost 45 per cent of Native people in Saskatchewan have less than grade 9 education. This compares with 22 per cent of the non-Native population of the province. See Olijnyk' "Desire to Leave School Traps Many Natives in Dead-end Jobs," Star-Phoenix Special Report (Regina: Leader-Post, 1987), p. 42.

³This particular project was for a limited term. The College hopes to offer similar programs in other northern communities.

⁴"New Project for Native Women's Council", (La Ronge: The Northerner, August 24, 1988), p. 7.

Peggy Buckley is an adult educator' living in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. She has worked as an educational consultant for government, and as a private consultant in the areas of ABE, ESL/D and literacy. Ms. Buckley has also taught university courses in social work and teacher methodology. Most recently she served as literacy coordinator for the La Ronge Pro gram Region of the Northlands Career College. Currently, Ms. Buckley is without wage labour.

Penny Carriere is also an adult educator living La Ronge. She is presently on leave from her position as ABE Coordinator with the Northlands Career College to coordinate the CPC program Ms. Carriere has worked and lived in northern Saskatchewan for 20 years where she has worked in a variety of education capacities with children and adults. she is presently Deputy Mayor of La Ronge.