About the Nunavut Literacy Council

Why is literacy important?

Many people in Nunavut have some difficulties with reading, writing, and using numbers. This means that they may have trouble finding and keeping jobs. It means they may not be able to get information about protecting their health, safety, or rights. It may also mean that they cannot read to their children or help them with their homework.

Being literate is more than just being able to read and write. It is also about being able to participate fully in our communities, in the workplace and in the political, social and cultural life of our territory and our country. Literacy is the foundation of lifelong learning.

Who are we?

The Nunavut Literacy Council is a territorial organization that promotes and supports literacy activities in all official languages of Nunavut.

A volunteer Board of Directors meets regularly to carry out the goals and objectives of our organization. We are funded by the National Literacy Secretariat, the Government of Nunavut and donations from businesses and individuals. We receive in-kind support from Nunavut Arctic College and the Department of Public Works & Services, Government of Nunavut.

What is our purpose?

We believe that everyone has a right to literacy. We also believe that literacy is something that involves everyone - individuals, families, communities, businesses, and governments. Through our work, we promote literacy, support community organizations, adult learners, and literacy practitioners and develop partnerships with a variety of different groups and organizations. We also work with non-literacy organizations to support the integration of literacy into their current programmes and services.

What do we do?

The Nunavut Literacy Council:

• Supports communities to design, manage, and deliver literacy initiatives by providing on-going support and training on topics such as family literacy and language development, project planning and proposal writing.
• Produces and distributes a quarterly bilingual newsletter. The newsletter keeps individuals informed of literacy events and initiatives within the territory as well as the activities of the Nunavut Literacy Council. The newsletter also provides our stakeholders with practical information and tools that support the development of literacy skills.
• Produces resources to support the development and delivery of high-quality literacy programmes and services.
• Loans resources such as books, video tapes and training manuals from our resource centre in Rankin Inlet.
• Supports and promotes literacy through the very popular Read for 15 Challenge during Nunavut Literacy Week, promotion of National Family Literacy Day and Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq (Language Week).
• Maintains a bilingual website that provides users with accessible on-line resources.
• Develops partnerships and strengthens existing relationships between our own organization and other stakeholders - both territorial and national.

Nunavut Literacy Council
Box 1049 Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0
Phone 867-983-2678 or 867-645-5506 Fax 867-983-2614
www.nunavutliteracy.ca

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