Auntie's Community Page

Auntie is joining the Dream Team!

2011-03-11T10:45:00.001-06:00

Auntie will now be posting the community announcements on Dream Team Volunteer Central's brand new website. This blog will be shut down in the near future, please bookmark instead:

https://sites.google.com/site/dreamteamvolunteer/community-events

Aboriginal Driver Training Grant

2010-09-21T16:33:00.000-06:00

http://www.sgi.sk.ca/sgi_pub/drivers_licences/aboriginal_grant.htm

Check it out!

Dream Team Volunteer Central E-Bulletin

2010-09-21T16:31:00.000-06:00

Who is the Dream Team?

YOU are the Dream Team! Every member of the community is a potential volunteer.

What is Dream Team Volunteer Central?

It is a network of volunteers. Anyone who is interested in volunteering in the community of North Central can sign up for volunteer opportunities. We work with many community agencies to offer a variety of activities. The project is lead by a Four Directions Community Health Centre and the North Central Community Association.

The Dream Team coordinator is looking for groups to come speak to about volunteering in the community. She can also talk about how volunteering can build a career. Call: 766-7549.

Please feel free to contact agencies directly.

Urgent Opportunity

Community Clean up and Community Garden Clean up

This Saturday, September 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Albert Scott Community Centre, 1264 Athol St.

We will cleaning up the back alleys of North Central and getting the North Central Community Gardens ready for the winter.

If you have a truck please bring it.

All volunteers welcome. We can’t do it without your support

Volunteers will be provided with a BBQ lunch.

Upcoming Events

Project People Volunteer Recruitment

Thursday, October 14^th at 7 p.m.

United Way, 1440 Scarth St.

Repeat Session:

Saturday, October 16^th, 1 p.m.

United Way, 1440 Scarth St.

Recruiting volunteers for activities to help the homeless.

Call: 533-5117

Gmail: reginapeople

https://sites.google.com/site/reginapeople/home

The Regina Food Bank Annual October Food Drive

Saturday October 16^th, 2010

9:30am until 9:00pm (Various shifts available)

We need people to collect donated food from Regina residents’ door steps and take it to the nearest fire hall. We also need help at fire halls across the city in order to unload trucks, weigh and sort food.

Please call Lori at 791-6533 extension 227 for more information or if you are able to help.

Ongoing opportunities

Chimatawa Volunteer Team

at Indian Metis Christian Fellowship

3131 Dewdney Ave.

Phone Vi at 359-1096

Thank you:

Community Garden volunteers

GED SCHEDULED TESTING DATES

2010-09-21T16:29:00.000-06:00

As of September 7, 2010

SIAST WASCANA CAMPUS

2010

September 27, 28

October 18, 19

November 29, 30

2011

January 31, February 1

March 28, 29

April 28, 29

May 16, 17

June 27, 28

Call 775-7418 for more info

Exciting new project

2010-09-17T11:36:00.001-06:00

https://sites.google.com/site/reginapeople/

Auntie has been very, very busy with a new project. Check it out!

Auntie's newest project

2010-06-17T10:33:00.002-06:00

As you know I have been very concerned with the homelessness crisis. So, I have been developing an idea for a network of volunteers and donors inspired by the extensive network of People for Animals. This network would focus on helping those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

I came up with the idea of 3 or so projects:

Hauling for Home: Volunteers help pick up/drop off donations for agencies and help families move.

Monthly Care Drive: Every month volunteers plan and coordinate a donations drives – food, clothes, blankets, baby needs, hygiene items, winter gear, etc. What ever is needed. I would consult with agencies on this. This activity provides an opportunity to raise awareness.

Furniture Bank: Volunteers and donors offer space to store furniture, keep an inventory, access and deliver items as needed.

People Enetwork: Agencies can post specific needs: donations, volunteers, etc. A network to draw on made up of volunteers, donors, businesses, services groups, etc will continue to grow. (this would be similar to Full Circle, except specifically for agencies. We could use Face Book, Google Group, a blog and an Email network)

If you are interested in helping with this project, let me know. Call: 766-7549.

If you have some feedback, you can comment on this post or find me on FaceBook: Auntie Lisa.

I plan to keep updating on this page.

People for Animals

2010-04-23T14:55:00.003-06:00

KITTEN FOSTER HOMES NEEDED
As always, we need caring foster homes for our many rescued cats and kittens, especially for mamas with litters. All it takes is a spare room and a bit of time and love. PFA can supply the food, litter and other supplies needed. Contact us at saskpeopleforanimals at gmail for more information on how to become a foster home.

Thank you for your support,
People for Animals of Saskatchewan

Updated Website

2009-11-09T14:10:00.001-06:00

http://www.pathwaysregina.com/

Winter is coming

2009-09-22T08:41:00.002-06:00

How can my family, corporation or community help people who are homeless?

Share...............

Time:
Volunteer----------at Salvation Army, Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission, Carmichael Outreach, Indian Métis Christian Fellowship, Regina Food Bank, Mobile Crisis and other front line agencies.

Fundraise------------hold a food drive, have a garage sale, collect recyclables and donate the proceeds to a frontline agency. Get your work place, church group, community group, clubs and schools together to help.

Resources:
Money------------------make a commitment to donate this year to frontline agencies.

Food--------------------Regina Food Bank, Salvation Army, Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission, Carmichael Outreach, Indian Métis Christian Fellowship, Chili for Children and other front line agencies.

Clothes/housewares----------------Indian Métis Christian Fellowship, Carmichael Outreach, Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission.

Gifts----------------consider asking for donations in lieu of birthday, anniversary, retirement, Christmas or other occasion gifts.

Space:

Rental space------------get your secondary suite up to code and rent it out. If you have an extra room, rent it out for room and board.

Storage space--------------many shelters and agencies cannot hold onto donations because they can’t store them. Offer to store donations until they are needed.

Living space----------------live together with friends or family, keep older children home for an extra year.

Awareness:

Share it forward----------------tell everyone you know about the growing crisis of homelessness.

Power:

As a citizen------------talk to your government representatives: MLA, City Councilor, MP, Mayor, Premier, etc, about homelessness and what they plan to do about it.

Front Line Agencies: see links this page for contact info
Please contact agencies directly to find out when they receive donations.

Student Lead Clinic

2009-08-18T12:32:00.003-06:00

Info on an upcoming iniative called SEARCH: Student Energy and Action for Regina Community Health:

Interdisciplinary Student Action Group Outline

This letter is to outline and explain the establishment of an inter-professional student health care project in the core neighborhood of Regina. The idea for this project arises from a similar program in Saskatoon, SWITCH. SWITCH stands for Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health and is one of several such programs in Canada which provides year-round interprofessional, after-hours clinical and social services to underserved communities.

This program is being initiated by students representing nursing, medicine, social work, clinical psychology, nutrition, physical therapy, and others. Students are currently cooperating with faculty members from the represented colleges and members from community organizations. Ideally, the group can use input from community members and agencies to best organize these services.

The vision is to serve the community by providing clinical and social services on a weekly basis. Students would work as a team under the supervision of mentors to provide after hours primary health care services, with measures in place to ensure continuity of care. The setting would be that of an informal, drop-in clinic, which also provides healthy food, drinks, childcare, as well as a warm and safe environment. A future goal would be to provide social and educational programs and activities targeted towards needs identified by community members. Some potential examples are programs surrounding healthy cooking, women’s needs, parenting, or any other identified need.

Meetings with program co-ordinators at the Four Directions Community Clinic have identified that facility as a potential space for this project. The student group and clinic staff would work together to organize the available resources in order to provide quality services in an efficient manner. The current plan is to garner support, secure funding, and organize services in order to open the clinic in spring or fall of 2009.

There are several goals of this program. The first is to respond to community needs by providing quality health care and serving as a platform for further programming initiatives. Another focus will be the development of future health care professionals as members of an interdisciplinary team. Most importantly, through this service learning project students can learn first hand from patients about barriers to healthcare and the importance of addressing social determinants of health.

This Regina student clinic is run jointly by students and faculty members.

Homelessness in the news

2009-07-02T16:11:00.000-06:00

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Homeless+population+Regina+growing+study/1748338/story.html

What we can do.........

2009-06-15T16:37:00.002-06:00

Are you Concerned about the Conversion of Apartments into Condominiums in Regina?

Please Phone the City Councillors to Let Them Know You Oppose the Conversion of Apartments into Condominiums

In the past 14 months, the Regina City Council has approved the conversion of 366 apartments into condominiums. Another 135 are set to go to city council on June 22 and more at following meetings.They have done this at a time when the vacancy rate is well below 1%, meaning that there are virtually no apartments available for rent in the city. A lack of rental property in the city will mean:
· An increase in the number of people using emergency shelters;
· Overcrowding in existing apartments;
· More people sleeping rough;
· More people moving from place to place each night, including children;
· Seniors having to move from their long-term homes into less adequate accommodation.

The movement of rental accommodation into purchased accommodation means that there are less housing options available in the city. This situation also drives rents up.Developers stand to gain millions of dollars when their apartment buildings are turned into condominiums. They move forward in converting their apartments before approval is received because they are so certain that city council will rubber stamp their application.City council treats renters as second class citizens. Tenants have a right to affordable, safe, secure and adequate accommodation.

Phone your city councilors and let them know that you are concerned about their unconditional support of developers at the expense of the needs of the average people of Regina.
Ward 1: Louis Browne……………..531-5151
Ward 2: Jocelyn Hutchison………...584-1739
Ward 3: Fred Clipsham…………….757-8212
Ward 4: Michael Fougere…………..789-5586
Ward 5: Bill Gray…………………..761-0919
Ward 6: Wade Murray……………...596-1035
Ward 7: Sharron Bryce……………..949-5025
Ward 8: Michael O’Donnell………..545-7300
Ward 9: Terry Hincks……………….949-9690
Ward 10: Jerry Flegel………………..777-6689

Alternately, email the city councillors. Email addresses are available on this website: http://www.regina.ca/Page1105.aspx

Suggested text:I am very concerned about the conversion of apartments into condominiums in Regina. Not only are you are reducing the number of rental units in the city at a time when vacancy rates are low, you are also causing hardship to people who are being forced to uproot themselves and to find alternate accommodation in this tight rental market. I encourage you to take into consideration all citizens of Regina, not just the developers who stand to gain financially at the expense of people in rental accommodation. I am opposed to any further conversion of apartments into condominiums in Regina. I ask that you deny any further apartment into condomimium conversion that comes before city council.

More facts:
The experience in Saskatoon, and now in Regina, is that many condominiums remain unsold as there is insufficient demand to buy these small units in old buildings that were constructed for apartment style living.

Landlords then rent these unsold condominiums out at high rents which are unaffordable for the average working person, not to mention people on fixed incomes such as seniors and people with disabilities.

Many people choose to rent, or must rent, for a number of reasons:
It is proven that for people who move frequently, such as some professionals or young people, it is more financially prudent to rent than to continually purchase new homes.
The newcomers to the city, who are being encourage to move here, require rental accommodation particularly when they first arrive.
People on low and fixed incomes, such as people in the service industry, rent because the monthly cost is more affordable.
Students typically live in rented accommodation.
Seniors, who are a rising segment of the population, may want to sell their homes in order to have access to the equitey, and for the ease and convenience of apartment life.

City council’s response is to keep 75% of the units in the converted building as rental. This is not a solution because:
These units would remain as rental only for 5 years or until the vacacy rate reaches 3% whichever comes first.
There is only a minimal penalty of $2500 to the developer if he decides to ignore the above stipulation, which is a small fraction of the anticipated selling price. This amount is not a penalty at all. These 75% will be converted eventually.
Landlords have said that the rents will go up whether the property remains an apartment or is turned into a condominium. When the property remains a rental property, the landlord justifies the increase in rent because he must fix common areas of the building for the condominium owners. It is not uncommon for no improvements to be made to the rented apartments.
We can stop these conversions.
We are orgnanized and we need to show the councillors that we know how to take action!

Please call Peter, Diane or Christina at 352-6386 (Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry) if you would like to get involved or if you would like more information.

Housing and homelessness

2009-05-15T08:40:00.003-06:00

Slum housing and various forms of homelessness are a huge issue here in our community. The forecast says it is going to get even tougher.

What are we doing about these issues?

What are some possible solutions?

Links:
http://homelessnation.org/en/node/339
http://www.rqhealth.ca/diy_pubhealth/pdf_files/ceac_7012.pdf - Street Survival Guide
http://www.pathwaysregina.com/

Check it out!

2009-01-12T08:40:00.000-06:00

People for Animals has a blog!

http://www.pfasask.blogspot.com/

Dress for Success

2009-01-12T08:30:00.001-06:00

www.dressforsuccess.org

Dress for Success® Regina

3025 - 13th Avenue

Phone: 306.54.DRESS (543.7377)

"Our mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Our programs transition women towards self-sufficiency by addressing their social and economic needs in relation to career, home and community. Each woman is a success story by journeying from unemployment down the road to economic independence."

Spay Program

2008-04-18T16:12:00.004-06:00

The Regina Humane Society has a new program for low income families. They will spay female cats for free. They will even pick up and deliver.

For more information, leave your name and phone number at: 522-7729.

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=505a7e7e-b9dc-451a-be52-6e7b6c71e87c&k=46884

New website!

2008-03-28T09:34:00.000-06:00

Check it out!

http://www.northcentralregina.ca/

Dream Team Volunteer Central

2008-02-07T13:21:00.000-06:00

What is Dream Team Volunteer Central?

It is an program where anyone who is interested in volunteering in the community of North Central can sign up and be matched up with volunteer opportunities. The program will work with many community agencies to offer a variety of activities.

The project is lead by a volunteer committee and the North Central Community Association.

Why sign up?

When you sign up you will be matched up to a volunteer activity that best suits your needs. You will also be invited to participate in community events and projects. There will also be celebrations and socials for volunteers. The coordinator can work with you on
career planning and can connect you with other resources in the community.

AGENCIES: Please let me know if you have volunteer opportunities. Also, let me know if would like to receive our bulletin.

Call: 766-7549

Submissions to Community Page

2008-02-07T13:20:00.000-06:00

Hello,

I try and post events as they come to my attention.

Please feel free to email me with information to post.

auntienorthcentral@gmail.com

- Auntie

New Friendship Centre

2008-02-07T13:16:00.000-06:00

1650 Angus St.

Open Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 4:30

Call: 525-5042

Gangs, Hot Topic

2007-12-13T07:58:00.000-06:00

There have been a few comments posted in response to the RU Down or RU out video posting. I know that many groups are talking about gangs. For more information, call the North Central Community Association at 791-9888. They have a Ganging up on Violence Committee headed by Kevin Daniels. They are also involved with the Regina Anti Gang Strategy. They can put you in contact with the coordinator. Also, the Regina Intersectoral Committee recently had a forum on gangs. NCCA could get you more information.

Thank you for your interest and your comments.

Auntie Lisa

REACH Discount Milk Program

2007-11-28T11:56:00.000-06:00

Effective Monday, November 26th. We encourage groups serving North Central families on government assistance to make the program known to their clients/contacts and assist in the application process, if and where required.

The REACH Milk Discount Card is a pilot program. It is a subsidy intended to assist families receiving government assistance to provide more milk to their young children. It is also intended to help families on the road to independence by mitigating their use of charitable, emergency food providers.

The discount card will be honoured, the ‘R’ Healthy Food Store located in North Central Regina. The targeted demographic will be families who: (1) are receiving government assistance, (2) have children in their care six years of age or younger, (3) are living in North Central Regina. If the pilot is successful in its purpose, it may expand to include a wider demographic.

Applications will soon be available at:
http://www.reachinregina.ca/index.html

or contact REACH at 347-3224.

New Program!

2007-10-04T11:21:00.000-06:00

Living in Balance

Fridays

1:00 - 3:00
Information, food and
fun activities for a healthy life.

Four Directions Community Health Centre
3510 5th Ave. - 766-7540

Childcare and help with transportation are available

Everyone Welcome!

New Needle Drop boxes

2007-09-20T08:19:00.000-06:00

Locations:

5th and Cameron beside the Service Canada building.

Core Community Park in the alley

behind 1800 block Toronto St.

Residential School Settlements

2007-08-14T15:42:00.000-06:00

Applications for the Common Experience Payments are now available at Service Canada.
Downtown and 5th Ave. locations.

For general info on settlements:

http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english/index.html

http://www.irsss.ca/

Easy read bulletin for community: http://www.irsss.ca/lumpsum.html

RU Down or RU Out

2007-03-08T16:17:00.000-06:00

The Gang Advisory Team, a sub committee of the Youth Justice Forum, is pleased to inform you about and provide you with the link to the recently produced Gang Prevention DVD.

RU Down or RU Out – A Youth Perspective on Regina’s Inner City Gangs, is a DVD compilation of the issues and adversities that young people face in many of our Saskatchewan communities.

The DVD was created for a target audience of 12-18 years old; however, the Advisory Team hopes that the DVD will also be used as a professional development tool with community groups and within institutions. We encourage the use of this DVD, along with the included Discussion Guide to help define language and situations.

The 22 minute video can be downloaded on the Regina Police Service web site at www.reginapolice.ca by going to the ‘Crime Prevention’ tab and scrolling to ‘Gang Prevention’. Please ensure that QuickTime is downloaded on your system to view.

Make copies. Share the message. Take the time to appreciate and understand what these individuals are sharing with us.

Sincerely,
Wendy Stone
Chair, Gang Advisory Team

You go George!

2007-02-26T09:26:00.000-06:00

George brings attention to the Albert Adult Education Program closure...

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/city_province/story.html?id=c9b466ae-cb37-4163-bb9d-112a19aeb600

What is Aboriginal Storytelling?

2007-02-05T11:32:00.000-06:00

For Aboriginal people, storytelling is a very old custom. It has a place, and it has those who are recognized by the community as translators of this custom. In Aboriginal storytelling there is a difference between stories used more for entertainment from those that are more focused on the teachings of culture, ceremonies, and spirituality. There are many stories which are tied to the ceremonies and spirituality of Aboriginal culture. It is stories of this nature that are used not as entertainment, but as messengers. These stories may not be as entertaining because they are used more as a bridge to get a teaching across to the audience; in these instances the actual stories may be nothing more than a stage prop, and the teaching or meaning of the story is the main attraction. Some stories are funny, some are sad, scary, disturbing; and not all have happy endings. Some stories are true, others are not. Some are animated and some are somber. Some have room for embellishment; others must remain as true to the way they have been told for centuries. Again, stories which must remain as true to their origins as possible are usually ones that are fundamental to the teachings, ceremonies, and way of life of Aboriginal people.

We also have to take into account the way Aboriginal people look at ceremonies and spirituality. In mainstream society ceremony and spirituality are almost always terms that are, and automatically associated with religion. Aboriginal people do not see their ceremonies and spirituality as a religion, they see it as a way of life. The ceremonies and spirituality of Aboriginal people are embedded deeply in their everyday life. Aboriginal people are more intimate with their ceremonies and spirituality; there is less detachment because they do not only practice this way of life on Sundays, or other designated times. This way of life is virtually ingrained into values and morals that motivate those who embrace it, into everyday action. Because Aboriginal people see these things as a way of life, they also live their everyday life by the laws that govern their spirituality and ceremonies. So, it is not considered telling religious stories or teaching religion; it is considered more along the lines of sharing the teachings of their way of life. This is in part because (such as in the Cree language) there is no word specifically designated for “religion.” This is because it is very difficult to convey the meaning of Aboriginal concepts using the English language; so the word used for “religion” in Cree for example, is a descriptive word that basically means, “another way.” The stories share the teachings, history, culture, and way of life of the Aboriginal people.

Various nations on Turtle Island (Mother Earth) had a word designated for the storytelling role or the act of storytelling. In most Indigenous languages there are many cases when a word is simply a description of an object, action, person, and a place; so when there is a word specifically designated for something, it is important. With all the drama, pageantry, and stimulus entrenched in our media today, it is not surprising that people unfamiliar with what Aboriginal Storytelling actually is, usually come to expect something totally different.

The term ‘storytelling’ gives the audience a perception, and that perception is based on expectations the listener brings to a storytelling session. Without Storytelling, there would be no avenue to instruct and train for policing, doctoring, educating, trades, and those involved in aspects of government as leaders and as protectors both from a military and civil perspective. Almost everything that is here in the present was there in the past. The language barrier was one of many challenges which kept those coming into contact with the First Peoples of this land from knowing and understanding this.

When a person hears the phrase Aboriginal Storytelling, they will all most likely come to different meanings to the term within themselves, and there are many reasons for this. The way a person is raised or brought up, and his or her influences on others, as well as a person’s familiarity with a language will have very much to do with how they perceive Aboriginal Storytelling. Again, in many cases it is almost impossible to convey the meaning of Indigenous concepts using the English language. Much of the meaning gets lost in translation and we do our best with what we have left. Within each Aboriginal community in Saskatchewan there are very powerful and distinguished original terms for Storytelling in the orator’s first language: what it does, why it’s used and so on.

However a story may differ from one to another, one key reminder should be acknowledged about Aboriginal Storytelling. These are our stories. They have a rich connection to who we are as they are an important part of Aboriginal identity. If the stories are not understood, perhaps the fault lies not with the orator, but in the bridge between the orator and his/her audience as well as the stereotypes that still have their negative affects. It is impossible for our storytelling to resist evolving or changing as our culture continues to; however, our storytelling and stories are sacred. At the base of their root is spirituality, and however removed we may become; spirituality is the base of all customs, traditions, and everyday actions we carry out as Aboriginal people. We are not people who can easily compartmentalize categories of our customs and lives as dialects from the Neheyawak, Dakota/Nakota/Lakota, Denesuline, and Anishinabek, Inuit, and Metis.

Within Aboriginal circles, and since time immemorial, storytelling has been more than sheer entertainment. It has been a critical and profound component in our ancestral camps, and was as commonplace in daily life as going to the bathroom. Evaluations of subsequent participation in this event have proved this endeavor has been worth every minute of its winter month timing campaign.

Prepared by Nina Wilson and Jeremy Fourhorns

G:\PLRC\Common\Docs\Aboriginal Storytelling Week 2006\What is Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling 2007.doc

..and the follow up artilce

2007-01-23T16:41:00.001-06:00

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/canada/article.jsp?content=20070129_139814_139814

Just in case you missed it.....

2007-01-17T09:22:00.000-06:00

Here is the link for the Macean's article about North Central.
The writers email address is listed at the bottom of the article.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/canada/article.jsp?content=20070115_139375_139375

Early Learning Centre Wishlist

2006-12-13T13:18:00.000-06:00

Recycled items that are needed at the Regina Early Learning Centre

Styrofoam
Classico Spaghetti Sauce jars- clear
Beads
Buttons
Yogurt containers
Margerine containers
Ice cream pails
Scraps of wool, macramé cord
Ribbon
Tin foil trays
Old calendars

Early Learning Centre
2115 Athol St.
Call: 757-3744

http://www.earlylearning.ca/

Literacy Issues

2006-10-04T09:44:00.000-06:00

The Federal Government has recently announced cuts to literacy funding.

Press releases:

http://www.abc-canada.org/media_room/news/fedcuts.shtml
http://www.sk.literacy.ca/whatsnew/fedcuts06.htm

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 29, 2006

42% of Canadians struggle with basic reading and writing - IN SASKATCHEWAN 63.4% OF URBAN ABORIGINAL PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH LITERACY*

We at the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc. are very shocked and baffled by the federal government announcement yesterday of sweeping cuts to many programs. At this moment it looks like we will have to close our office and our services. We do not want to take this action. We want to continue to serve the Aboriginal people of Saskatchewan who are struggling to be involved in society but have difficulty with reading and writing.

There are many Aboriginal leaders who wish to see literacy as a priority or a part of the education matrix that leads to integrated and sustainable livelihoods for their people. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to building knowledge and awareness of literacy issues amongst Aboriginal people, communities, and especially leaders. We want to work with Aboriginal people to help them find ways to successfully approach issues of literacy, especially in communities where literacy is not talked about or dealt with.

Recent statistics describe the alarming situation for Saskatchewan urban Aboriginal people - 63.4% are at level 1&2 and only 36.6% are at levels 3 – 5. This is compared to urban non-Aboriginal people of which 38.7% are at level 1&2 and 52.4% are at levels 3 – 5.
Level 3 is considered the desired threshold for coping with the increasing skill demands of a knowledge society.

The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc. contributes to the valuable dialogue and pursuit of solutions about how to improve the low-level literacy issues plaguing Aboriginal people.

Educating children to read and write does little good if their parents and community members are struggling as well. On September 8, International Literacy Day, Minister Diane Finley stated: "Strong literacy skills are more important than ever in today's knowledge-based society. Literacy and other essential skills provide a foundation for skills development and lifelong learning, and can help all Canadians participate in our economic prosperity and improve their quality of life.”

The SALN would like to continue working with the Government of Canada to find ways to improve our focus so that Aboriginal people can gain the necessary knowledge and skills to participate in our society as valued members of society.

*International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey 2003