“Locals know the local situation – our own people’s needs. Let us address them, not strangers.” – Community Development Worker during Consultation

“People don’t realize the connection between literacy, employment, and economic prosperity. The literacy issue is seen as a government education department responsibility instead of a community issue.” – Workforce Literacy Practitioner during Consultation

The Big Picture

• Communities – and community differences – are more than just geographic. The circumstances and needs of First Nations people are different from those of non-aboriginal people, for example. Moreover, there are significant differences in the circumstances and needs within the “community” of First Nations peoples throughout the province.

• The circumstances and needs of rural communities are different in many ways from those of urban centers.

• Communities whose economies are resource-based – of which there are many in BC – are in transition. The traditional supply of low-skilled employment opportunities is shifting as these industries are either in decline or becoming more technologically sophisticated and in need of higher-skilled workers. However, communities are in various stages of evolution with respect to denial, ownership, and action regarding the need to “reinvent themselves”.

• Every community is unique. The array of agencies and providers – and the relationships among them – is different in every community. No one approach to intervention can meet the needs of all.

• Despite this diversity, literacy is consistently seen to be bundled up with numerous other issues – and learning is consistently seen to be a fulcrum for effecting change and movement. This is true on an individual and a community level

• Life gets breathed into the notion of “learning communities” through individual leadership, tenacity, and inclusive trustful relationships.

Up Close

The following summarizes what we learned from the literacy practitioners’ and learners’ visioning conference, our two telephone surveys, and our community consultations.

Rural Communities Are Different from Urban Centers…

“The literacy challenge here is enormous: diversity, socio-economic differences, and attitudes towards school in isolated rural areas – where the students aren’t engaging and contact with the parents is difficult.” – Educator During Consultation