Between the lines

The recently released "Making a Case for Literacy" suggests half of the NWT's residents read and write below the national average. Albert Lebrun doesn't need a report to tell him what living with illiteracy is like.

Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 02/01) - Albert Lebrun is unapologetic about learning to read and write.

"I felt stupid most of my life, worrying about what people would say," says the 37-year-old father of four. "You live in fear of being found out."

Literacy facts: 50 per cent of NWT Adults do not have Level 3 literacy skills. Aboriginal language groups have exceptionally (but not statistically measured) low literacy levels. People with low literacy skills tend to avoid banks, insurance and medical services. Land claims, self-government agreements and grant proposals are part of Northern politics and economy. People with low literacy skills may have limited understanding of such proceedings. French language literacy is largely unknown in the NWT but is said to be stable. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is largely responsible for adult literacy and adult education.

The Giant Mine employee is functionally illiterate -- anything beyond a signature request causes heart palpitations.

Going public is as much about helping himself as it is about raising awareness.

"Imagine being in China and you're lost. Nothing looks familiar. It's a nightmare," he says.

He slipped through the cracks in the Ontario education system, he says. Neither his teachers nor his parents knew what to do with the little boy who refused to write his name, much less hand in assignments. He was labelled handicapped and by Grade 10 he'd dropped out, convinced there was no hope.

Illiteracy turns you into two different people, Lebrun says: an imposter who jokes or lies his way through job interviews; and a loner who avoids taunts.

Giant Mine's pending lay offs pushed him through Aurora College's doors last month and into a high school equivalency program.

The divorced father is now considering moving south with his girlfriend.

"If I want to keep mining, I need an education," he says. Clearly, the demand for adult education exists.

The NWT Literacy Council's recently released study "Making a Case for Literacy" estimates a staggering 50 per cent of the NWT's adult population is illiterate. And the population is growing.

Council executive director Cate Sills says a firm financial commitment would stabilize their work.

"The frustration is not knowing how much funding is coming year to year," she says.

A variety of government sub-departments supply $700,000 for literacy programs throughout the territories.

Education, Culture and Employment department spokesperson Dan Daniels said targeted literacy dollars are part of this month's budget talks. English, Aboriginal and French Literacy programs will be part of the discussions. Programs like Aurora College's free Literacy Outreach Centre is making a difference.

Instructor Elke Heinemann said 21 volunteers help the 60 adult learners registered in the day, night and tutorial classes.

"Some people are learning to sign their names or write a grocery list. Others are going for their GED or have a job but want to upgradr their skills," Heinemann says.

Lebrun is an exceptionally determined student, she says. Despite his progress, his past comes back to haunt him whenever he scours through a newspaper or magazine.

"I don't care what people say, if you can't read or write people judge you," he says.

"If talking about this helps just one person then it's worth it."

For more information about literacy programs contact the NWT Literacy Council or Aurora College.