Yellowknife (Sep 24/04) - As part of NWT Literacy Week celebrations, First Nations author Larry Loyie will be reading from his works and sharing stories at the Yellowknife Public Library.

The event is open to the public and will take place Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.

Larry Loyie and his partner Constance Brissenden will be in Yellowknife as part of literacy week in the NWT. - photo courtesy of the NWT Literacy Council

"I am looking forward to the northern tour very much," he said. "The further north you go and in more isolated places, that's where the best stories are still alive."

Loyie is the author of several plays, short stories and children's stories dealing with residential schools, native traditions and literacy.

He and his partner, Constance Brissenden, will be facilitating writing workshops for adult literacy and basic education students while in Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Providence.

Loyie's workshops encourage participants to remember and write stories from their own lives and their families.

"Each nation should write a bit of their history so it is not lost, and so that people across Canada can learn about the native culture and its traditions," he said.

Loyie was the recipient of the 2001 Canada Post Literacy Award for Individual Achievement in B.C.

His first book won the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction in 2003.

"Because it's literacy week, I'm so happy to be coming to Yellowknife for the special occasion," he said.