I allow myself to be critical of this narrow-minded view of literacy because I once held it for many years. When I began working at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre as the Native Literacy Coordinator in 1992, I brought with me all my biases toward literacy. I thought that I was culturally sensitive, but I was unaware of the conditions required to support learning. Native literacy is much more than reading and writing, and the acquisition of those skills. It is based on a holistic approach that encompasses the development of the emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of one s self.
Native literacy impacts the individual, family, community, and nation.
I was in for a learning journey that continues to this day. Adult literacy is all about people. Success is only achieved when every learner is regarded, respected, and understood as a unique person with his or her own goals. To achieve success the individual must come first. A simple premise, yet one that can get lost in the desire to fulfill learning outcomes, or to meet statistical objectives.