A Nanaimo-based literacy program for Indigenous elders is helping its students gain confidence and navigate the world.
The (First Elders Accessible Training Healing Education Respect Support) provides a safe space for literacy training to Indigenous elders and adults who are residential, day school and intergenerational survivors.
B次元官网网址淭he students are amazing. They are incredibly brave and courageous to be coming back into a classroom after what they experienced,B次元官网网址� said Mary Desprez, a board member with the society. B次元官网网址淭he barriers are so extreme B次元官网网址� things we take for granted, like navigating a grocery store. TheyB次元官网网址檙e all eligible for HandyDART, for example, except you canB次元官网网址檛 apply if you donB次元官网网址檛 have a computer and you canB次元官网网址檛 read.B次元官网网址�
According to Desprez, the program first started when the chair of the board, Doug Savory, befriended an Indigenous woman who couldnB次元官网网址檛 read or write and was impressed by how well she managed to navigate the world. While there are numerous programs for Indigenous youths, Savory and the growing board were surprised by the lack of actual teaching programs for Indigenous elders in a classroom setting.
With support and backing from numerous community groups, a seven-week pilot program was started in the fall, geared towards the specific needs of Indigenous elders.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e building the plane while weB次元官网网址檙e flying it,B次元官网网址� said Desprez. B次元官网网址淲e really didnB次元官网网址檛 know how it would be accepted. And itB次元官网网址檚 just been an absolutely beautiful and humbling experience.B次元官网网址�
The literacy program is provided at no cost to its students and includes lunch, supplies and even transport B次元官网网址� all donated to the program itself at no cost by sponsors.
The program will be expanded over the next two years, bringing customized learning to a total of 11 communities across Canada.
The first expansion is planned for Penticton for fall this year, and then to Dawson Creek in early 2023. Gradually, the literacy program will reach Moose Jaw, London, Belleville, Hamilton, St. CatherineB次元官网网址檚, Toronto, Windsor and Ottawa. The expansion is possible thanks to a sponsorship by Oak View Group and the various municipalities in which they manage and operate conference centre facilities, including the Vancouver Island Conference Centre (VICC).
The general manager of VICC, Chuck Lo毛wen, also with Oak View Group, said he immediately knew it was the right thing to do when Desprez approached him about using the space, and even the further expansion.
B次元官网网址淲herever we can do it, weB次元官网网址檒l be able to do it,B次元官网网址� said Lo毛wen. B次元官网网址淲e have affiliations with different cities and different buildings, and weB次元官网网址檙e hopeful that other companies that are similar to ours will see this and roll it out in those cities and communities.B次元官网网址�
Florence Marshall, 68, has been attending the literacy program since it started last year and said being together with the students and the teachers brings her a lot of happiness.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e like family here,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e help each other out. When somebodyB次元官网网址檚 down, we lift each other up.B次元官网网址�
The warm and welcome environment has encouraged her to attend classes and keep learning.
B次元官网网址淚 plan to finish. I started and I plan to finish and go through right to the end B次元官网网址� They work at my level here, and at my pace so I can understand. TheyB次元官网网址檙e wonderful teachers and they take their time with me.B次元官网网址�
Marshall said she now enjoys reading about her own and different Indigenous cultures, thanks to the program.
Enrolment for the FEATHERS Society literacy program is ongoing, with the current term running until June 30. They meet Mondays and Wednesdays between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the conference centre. Further information about the program and enrolment can be found , or through e-mail at info@feathersliteracycircle.ca.
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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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