Ministers Launch Registration For National Literacy Forum

News Release – March 11, 2008

Juno award winning singer and songwriter, Susan Aglukark, will be a keynote speaker at the Pan-Canadian Literacy Forum, April 13 to 15, in Regina. Education Minister and Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz and Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris today made the announcement and launched registration for the Saskatchewan site with the theme of Aboriginal Literacy.”Saskatchewan people can be proud that our province is playing a leadership role by hosting the Aboriginal Literacy session,” Krawetz said. “It is through forums such as these that we continue to look at creative ways to eliminate the achievement gap between First Nations and Métis and non-Aboriginal learners.”

“The Pan-Canadian Literacy Forum is going to be a truly unique learning opportunity,” Norris said. “Literacy fosters healthy communities and provides the foundation for lifelong learning and successful contributions to society.”

As part of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Literacy Action Plan, the provinces and territories have committed to work together to raise awareness about the importance of literacy and to boost literacy levels across Canada. The Pan-Canadian Literacy Forum initiates a new era of co-operation and provides an opportunity to create a legacy of literacy knowledge and materials.

Approximately 3,500 people at 10 sites, connecting all 13 provinces and territories across Canada’s six time zones will be linked together using interactive technology to discuss ‘literacy for all’ across Canada.

Saskatchewan’s forum will focus on Aboriginal literacy initiatives with literacy success stories of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures and communities across Canada. Traditional processes will focus on the best practices among Aboriginal people and promising new initiatives by literacy service providers, businesses, educational institutions, health services and governments.

In addition to Susan Aglukark, keynote speakers from other locations include Adrienne Clarkson discussing Community Literacy; Fraser Mustard discussing Early Childhood Literacy; and Frank McKenna discussing Literacy for Prosperity.

To register for the forum or for more information, visit www.skliteracyforum.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Ariane Whiting
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0926
Email: ariane.whiting@gov.sk.ca

Jacquie McLean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: Jacquie.McLean@sasked.gov.sk.ca