Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #121: Deterrents to Participation in Adult LearningActivities and Literacy Skills Among Aboriginals Living in Polar Regions  

Outline
The goal of this pilot project is to develop and implement a means by which First Nations People in polar areas can identify and work to influence the determinants of aboriginals’ non-participation in adult learning activities and their literacy skills. The project and its activities will be developed and implemented by aboriginal groups in several municipalities across the artic regions of Canada working to identify, describe, and act upon issues that affect aboriginal non-participation in adult learning activities and literacy skills. The project acknowledges that the First Nations People themselves are in the best position to describe their own literacy needs and factors that influence non-participation in adult learning activities. They determine how these activities take place. Aboriginal groups in the extreme north and similar areas throughout Canada will organize and carry out a series of public consultations on Issues and factors affecting aboriginal non-participation in adult learning activities and literacy skills. Aboriginals will be supported in these activities by university collaborators, and by graduate students. Representatives from local municipalities, universities/colleges and service agencies will serve on Advisory Committees. Information gathered will be carefully reviewed as to whether identified issues are consistent with the determinants of non-participation and illiteracy described by Statistics Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, and current research. Action plans to address these determinants will be developed. Materials will be produced to allow other First Nations People communities to carry out similar activities. The project draws upon recent advances in understanding how non-participation in adult learning activities and low literacy skills is affected by individual, community, and societal factors, or what are termed the determinants of non-participation in adult learning activities and low literacy. It provides a framework by which aboriginals can both learn about these determinants and also work to identify how these factors affect their quality of life and the quality of life of those people around them. It does so by using a methodology that attempts to see the world through the eyes of aboriginals themselves, and then quantifying these results. In addition to identifying factors that effect their non-participation in adult learning activities and literacy skills, aboriginals in this project will formulate plans by which they can act upon these findings. This takes the form of working to affect the determinants of non-participation and illiteracy through advocating for policy changes, modifications in local communities, or changes in individual attitudes and behaviours. Where the determinants cannot be easily modified, aboriginals will consider how to work to ameliorate the most serious effects of these factors through a range of adult learning promoting activities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Aboriginal organizations and agencies receive funding to improve the lives of aboriginal people. What they lack are frameworks and tools for carrying out these activities in a manner that is systematic. The project’s outcomes will be a means by which these groups and agencies can carry out these activities. The agencies’ ongoing funding will allow for use of our approach. The university-based researchers will monitor these activities as part of their university employment. Findings and resource materials will be made available through the network of aboriginal organizations and service agencies collaborating in the project. There will be dissemination across Canada through the National Adult Literacy Database and the Research in Practice for Adult Literacy web site. We will present findings at conferences and prepare articles.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The First Nations Centre, University of Northern British Columbia The University of Northern British Columbia First Nations Centre provides a traditionally supportive environment for students located in the territories of 16 Tribal Councils and over 78 Bands. It provides leadership development, and fosters spiritual growth and academic excellence. UNBC works in partnership with the Centre to conduct research and provide educational, counselling and cultural promotion. It acts as a focal point for aboriginal educational promotion activities within the University and at local, provincial, national and international levels. The Health and Wellness Centre, University of Northern British Columbia The University of Northern British Columbia Health and Wellness Centre acts as advocacy for students. The Centre participates on committees where student wellness and/or health is discussed. Input from the Health Council assists in the development of programs to better meet the needs of students. Working in partnership with students and community groups is a valuable component of the Centre’s services. The Centre has campus wide events hosted throughout the academic year. Professionals, student groups, organizations, agencies and student volunteers join the Centre staff in creating a wide range of activities to educate people about health and wellness and promote wellness behaviours/lifestyles.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Yukon Territory, Norwest Territories, Labrador, Nunavut, Hudson Bay Region.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/05 – 09/05      05/06 – 09/06      05/07 – 09/07
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. By documenting these activities, materials can be prepared that will allow other aboriginals across polar regions of Canada (and internationally) to carry out similar activities. The key elements of this project include its recognition of the importance of a) the determinants of non-participation in adult learning activities by aboriginals 18 years of age and over, b) understanding literacy skills and its determinants as seen through the eyes of aboriginals themselves; c) understanding the interconnectedness of low literacy skills and non-participation; and d) working in a participatory way with aboriginals to shape the project and its activities within each polar region. Goals 1. to have aboriginals identify and address factors influencing their quality of life 2. to provide local municipalities with useful information that will form the basis for policy decisions related to the quality of life of aboriginals 3. to provide resource materials that will allow aboriginal groups across British Columbia and Canada to carry out a similar process of identifying and acting upon determinants of non-participation and literacy skills 4. to demonstrate that participatory activities that involve aboriginals working together with other sectors can be a useful and valuable policy-informing activity

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - This would be a pilot project consisting of 3 phases: (1) Qualitative Data Gathering; (2) Quantitative Data Gathering; (3) Dissemination of Results.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

How will the project be organised and managed?
Service Providers In each location, service providers will be on an Advisory Committee. They will advise the local Coordinating Committee as to other service providers to be contacted as participants; provide suggestions on analysis and reporting of findings; and serve as conduits for the transmission of findings to the service provider community. They will help assure that findings are considered by the service provider community. Local University The local university will send a representative to the Advisory Committee. The representative will identify graduate students to assist the local aboriginal groups in organizing and carrying out group meetings. Graduate students will write up the findings from the group meetings. Under the supervision of the local aboriginal group, they will prepare the various local reports. Long-lasting links may accrue from this collaboration.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Findings and resource materials will be made available through the network of aboriginal organizations and service agencies collaborating in the project. There will be dissemination across Canada through the National Adult Literacy Database and the Research in Practice for Adult Literacy web site. We will present findings at conferences and prepare articles.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We will apply for supplemental grants. Funds needed to carry out the project is estimated at $150,000.00 plus.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Yvon Joseph
The University of Northern British Columbia
3333 University Way
Prince George, BC
V2N 4Z9
Canada

Tel: 250-960-5926
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation