Family Literacy Program
"A program created to encourage First Nations people to embrace literacy in all its forms including First Nations literacy."
The Family Literacy Programs’ goal is to reintroduce First Nations literacy to our community. Some First Nations people never had an opportunity to learn traditional teachings or to recognize that what they were learning at home was literacy. Today’s more inclusive definition of literacy includes not only reading and writing but also story-telling, oral history, painting, and song and dance.
Haahuupa – Traditional Teachings
Bi-weekly potlucks followed by traditional teachings have included topics such as cedar bark work, art, song and dance, shawl making, drum making, traditional tool making, eagle teachings, longhouse teachings, and the construction of a longhouse model. The topics for this program are chosen by the participants.
Bi-monthly lunch group for avid readers to come together to discuss books they are currently reading.
This monthly social is an informal gathering for Elder’s to share knowledge, stories and history. Elders are invited by a traditional speaker who is guided by Tseshaht protocol.
Easy access to books in a familiar location First Nations people frequent.
Although the Photography Club has ended we were fortunate enough to have Norm Silverstone, a well know Port Alberni photographer, volunteer to continue teaching our students by sharing his knowledge with them.
Children’s “Potlatch” Book
This program worked with Elders to draft and publish a children's book which identified the Nuu-chah-nulth names for the different kinds of Nuu-chah-nulth feasts. The purpose of the book was to both preserve these traditional Nuu-chah-nulth names for future generations as well as to encourage the use of the names of the different feasts by making them accessible to Nuu-chah-nulth children. Toward this goal books were provided to elementary schools within Nuu-chah-nulth territories.
Eye of the Wolf
Josephine Johnston of Quu?asa Clinical Counselling delivers this highly cultural and traditional workshop. The workshop is aimed at cultural learning, healing, and growing.
Museum Field Trip
A field trip to the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. Participants helped raise funds so they attend the IMAX and have supper coming home.
N’iwaasin ciciqii – “It’s our Language”
A meeting of Elder Advisors, a facilitator, and interested participants to learn and document Nuu-chah-nulth phrases.
A timely workshop as you can only harvest cedarbark during certain months of the year. Included in the harvesting trip are teachings around harvesting.