Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 04/02) - Phase II of the NWT literacy initiative was launched Monday in Yellowknife.

"Three years ago, we made literacy a priority and increased funding $2 million per year to promote and encourage literacy in the NWT," said Jake Ootes, Minister of Education Culture and Employment (ECE).

The second phase of the literacy initiative is a promotional campaign designed to educate and encourage Northerners to make reading a life long priority.

"Becoming a literate society requires all individuals to assume responsibility for themselves," Ootes told a crowd of 90 people.

The launch was done in conjunction with the Canada Post Literacy Awards program, which recognized a Northern organization -- NWT Literacy Council -- for its achievements in promoting literacy in the North.

It was presented with a community leadership award for its work.

The council received $2,000 to go towards future initiatives as part of the award.

"Literacy is very much a community effort," said David Craig, NWT area manager for Canada Post.

Craig was on hand to present the awards during a literacy luncheon held at the NWT Legislature Building.

Literacy is the foundation to a happy and prosperous life style, noted Kathleen Purchase, director of Aurora College, Yellowknife.

"Through the basic skills of literacy comes the ability to build a better life," said Purchase.

She spoke at the luncheon to advocate the need for lifelong learning for a happy, healthy lifestyle.

"Reading a good book, reading with the grandchildren or flipping through a newspaper are unknown pleasures for people with low literacy," she said.