Government of Yukon


FOR RELEASE     #06-247
December 18, 2006


Yukon Boosts Literacy Through Literacy Action Committee Funding

WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon announced the disbursal of another round of Literacy Action Committee (LAC) funding. 

Over $40,000 has been awarded to six groups operating literacy initiatives throughout the Yukon. The Literacy Action Committee met this month to consider nine proposals, all of which received funding.

"Literacy is integral to lifelong learning and healthy communities," Education Minister Patrick Rouble said. "We are pleased to continue our support of the Literacy Action Committee because of the valuable projects it enables in Yukon communities."

"We are very pleased to be say that we have been able to support the many creative ideas that promote literacy in the Yukon, especially in the communities where need is much higher. This year we hope to be able to share more effective practices and find ways to promote participation from those communities not yet heard from by the Literacy Action Committee," LAC Co-Chair Rick Goodfellow said.

To date, 136 literacy projects have been funded throughout the territory by the Literacy Action Committee. The next call for proposals for Literacy Action Committee funding will be in Spring 2007. Call Carol Leef at 667-8682 for an application.

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Attached: More information on awards allocated through LAC funding

 Contact:  
 Albert Petersen  Clea Ainsworth
 Cabinet Communications  Communications, Education
 (867) 633-7961  (867) 393-7102
 albert.petersen@gov.yk.ca   clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca



BACKGROUNDER: Literacy Action Committee funding awarded for November intake

 Organization    Activity  Total Approved
 Nlaye Ndasadaye Daycare Society    To purchase a large book racks that are accessible for daycare children.  $579.85
 Yukon Literacy Coalition     Pre-school children in Whitehorse and Carcross will be given an opportunity to participate in a “literacy theatre” to hear a book read, to sing songs and to repeat rhymes in a large group setting. Michael Brooks, with the alphabet Bears, is the primary performer and organizer of the events.  $5,935
 Yukon Literacy Coalition    Family Literacy Day – To organize an event and partner with community librarians to celebrate family literacy in all Yukon communities.  $6,000
 Yukon Literacy Coalition 
  
 To host a Literacy Summit, giving literacy stakeholders an opportunity to participate in networking, workshops, consultations and a literacy trade show.  $6,000
 Yukon Literacy Coalition    Keeping Literacy Connections Alive – To provide literacy information and communications to the Yukon literacy community by writing and sending out an e-mail newsletter, Literacy This Week and the monthly newspaper spread Literacy This Month.  $6,000
 Kluane First Nation Health and Social Services Department    To bring youth and Elders together to learn Southern Tutchone songs and stories. Workshops will be hosted to have elders teach, print booklets and make permanent song/story boards to hang in the community hall.
 $6,000
 Faro Arts & Recreation Association   The Spotlight (literacy through theatre) – To create an environment and opportunities for people to practice and develop literacy skills through drama, musical and multi-media productions.    $3,900
 

Dawson Childcare Association   

 Dawson Childcare Association will provide pre-school literacy activities for children ages 3-5, Monday to Thursdays from 9 a.m. - noon.  $6,000
 LIFE Society Watson Lake   Family Literacy Activity Nights - To host five family literacy nights on different themes (family, math, science, games, Kaska)   $3,027
 Total Project Funding:      $43,441.85


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