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Hundreds of Indigenous students are getting help to build their literacy and numeracy skills so they can have greater success in school, courtesy of a $1.6 million grant over three years from the Alberta government.
The grants support summer literacy camps offered to Indigenous students in 14 communities across Alberta through Frontier College, a national charitable literacy organization.
“Our government is committed to protecting and improving education and closing the achievement gap for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, said David Eggen, minister of Education.
“Supporting Frontier College’s highly successful summer literacy camp program means more children in Alberta can build their literacy and numeracy skills over the summer months.”
The funding includes year-round literacy programming in five camp communities throughout the school year. A coalition of camp staff and education assistants will help with various community projects, including literacy workshops, homework clubs and community-based literacy projects that benefit families and communities-at-large.
Tsuut’ina, for example, has been able to create an inspiring and fun experience for the children with Su Cha Ama (shooting stars) Literacy Camp, described as passionate about getting campers involved and using their curious minds.
According to a prepared statement by Tash Badio and Naomi Eagletail of Tsuut’ina Nation campers are able to connect with their community and the different resources available as they engage in the program.
“Traditional values and knowledge are a key part of this community – and campers value the opportunity to learn about who they truly are. Our goal is always to foster a love of reading and increase self-confidence – but the results that we get to appreciate go so much deeper than this.”
In addition to providing literacy support for children and youth, the camps also provide summer employment opportunities for residents by training and employing local staff.
With the support of camp counsellors, Elders, parents and community members, students can expand their vocabularies and increase their love of reading through storytelling, group reading, arts and crafts, writing, cultural activities and field trips.
“Our camps incorporate fun activities that help children foster a love of reading and give them the confidence they need to do well in school. Many of the communities we partner with are in rural and isolated locations where learning supports and opportunities may be limited, especially during the summer months. There is a measurable difference in the literacy skills of students that attend camp, and the feedback from students, teachers, families and communities has been extremely positive,” said Richard Harvey, regional manager (Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon), Frontier College.