Native Women Write Now

Description of Research:
Native Women Write Now

During 1991-92 Keyano College participated in a national research project snored by the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women, and funded by the National Literacy Secretarial on the issue of women and literacy. I participated by offering a writing workshop for aboriginal women who were involved in a program entitled Aboriginal Women and the Workplace. This 24 week program, funded by Employment and Immigration Canada, aimed to enhance the employability skills of native women by providing life skills and academic upgrading that would lead to successful completion of the GED.

The writing skills workshop component was seen as complementary given its goals: to increase the confidence of the women as writers, to encourage women to see writing as a vehicle for exploring their experience, and to increase their understanding of writing as a process The writing workshop was unique because of its women-centred approach. The women suggested the topics for writing, and their suggestions emerged for their respective personal, academic, and professional standpoints. The stories, poems, opinion pieces and book reviews clearly reflect their values, beliefs, and life situations.

Nancy Steel, Instructor

Throughout the workshops the women were strengthened by the ready acceptance of their positions, and the opportunity to explore and articulate those positions Reading and discussion provided foundation for the writing. What the women have to say about their lives and about the lives of others who are important to them is a clear signal that literacy activities provide a worthy vehicle for personal growth and empowerment. But the learning is not all theirs. As readers, we can learn more about ourselves and our lives by reflecting upon their ideas. can ideas can become our point of departure.

Preface

This booklet was written by women in a program Called Aboriginal Women in the Workplace at Keyano College, Fort McMurray, AB.

Part of this course involved a writing workshop that offered us an opportunity to express our feelings about being native and being women. We shared a lot of ideas, had lively discussions. and expressed individual opinions. All this happened in a very short period of time because the program was 24 weeks long.

These poems, stories, essays and book reviews reflect yesterday's and today's cherished memories. opinions. and values. These pieces were written , with humour, joy, pain. acceptance and hope for the future. We feel I women are becoming stronger from the support they experience in groups like ours.

We invite you to explore our ideas, and experiences, and then to reflect and keep the circle strong. Special thanks to Nancy Steel for giving us encouragement and inspiration to write these pieces.

-Aboriginal Women