As we near the end of the year, we feel grateful and blessed to be able to continue to provide support to the learners, our members, and supporters in the literacy field. Sometimes with the busyness of daily work, we lose sight of the bigger picture – why we do what we do. It’s during these times that our board members gather from across the province and engage in insightful discussions that inspire and provide the motivation to carry on this important work.

Why does literacy matter? As our lives evolve with technology and digitization, our literacy skills help us learn easily and efficiently and give us confidence in our ability to learn new skills and information. Adults with stronger literacy skills are more likely to have a better quality of life, to be employed, and take part in work-related training, professional development and adult education programs.

Photo: Cory Young and Chantal Prosper at the Adult Learners' Week creative writing workshop in Eskasoni.


During Literacy Action Week, November 1 – 5, 2021, we invited the public to tell us why literacy matters to them by writing it down on #LAW2021 posters and sharing selfies of themselves on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you to all the learners and practitioners from Antigonish County Adult Learning Association, Adult Learning Association of Cape Breton County, Adult Learning Opportunities & Employment Solutions in Bridgewater, Cumberland Adult Network for Upgrading in Amherst, Dartmouth Learning Network, and the Halifax Community Learning Network who participated in the #LAW2021 campaign and posted 27 photos.

We are pleased to see practitioners joining the webinars offered in partnership by Labour, Skills, & Immigration and LNS. It’s obvious from the feedback that participants are finding them very useful. We appreciate the well thought out comments which help in our planning for next year.

Essential Skills for Nova Scotia Fisheries project update: The Essential Skills for Nova Scotia Fisheries project will be commencing in the Yarmouth area beginning in early January. We are currently looking for a Facilitator to facilitate the in-class portion of the project. This would be a 12 week contract position. Job description

Empowerment for Employment (LTC) project update: The final touches are being put on the curriculum. We are in the process of securing Employers and are now looking for Participants applicants. Please contact Kate Cober if interested in further information.

Happy Holidays everyone and stay safe! Literacy Nova Scotia will be closed on December 20 and will re-open on January 4.

We have released a new issue of The Learning Beacon, our enewspaper for adult learners. Skill Building for Food Security has new quizzes that will help you practice math skills. In Literacy Changes Lives, you can read and hear stories by some of the 2021 iPad Mini Draw contest participants. The Community Map Project has new stories from Ashmore, Berwick, Digby, Isaac's Harbour and Yarmouth, all written by adult learners. Lighthouses in Digby County has stories, a drag and drop puzzle and cloze exercises. Resource

Webinar Wednesdays: Continues Until December 8, 2021- Registration Open!
It's not too late to register for the December webinars!
Wednesday, December 1 -- Decolonizing Education Through Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (DETITK)   Tammy Williams
This webinar provides a short look into what we as educators can do to create more diverse and accepting spaces for our students from multiple intersectional identities, backgrounds, and cultures. It is a Mi’kmaw view into a pan-Indigenous issue that still has resounding effects on those peoples who have endured colonization through outside forces, erasing their cultural, linguistic, spiritual and emotional identities. Tammy will discuss colonization, decolonization and anti-colonization, and what, as allies and teachers in a western institution, we can do to open the doors to learning by those who have been further marginalized through educational institutions.
Wednesday, December 8 -- Helping the Helpers: Recognizing Loss and Restoring Laughter   Sue Smiley
Join Sue Smiley for a reflection of the year that was; a year that tested our resilience, optimism, and creativity. This webinar will explore strategies to finding the joy again in the classroom, rediscovering inspiration, and self-care.
The webinars are funded by the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration and support the NSSAL system. Recordings and copies of materials of the previous six webinars in the series can be accessed on the LNS Resource Hub.

Scholarships and Bursaries: Monetary awards for adult learners based on financial need. Three $500 bursaries for those currently attending an adult learning program and $1500 for those who have moved on to post-secondary. Deadline November 29, 2021. Students attending NSCC Truro campus can apply for the $1500 LNS Bursary with a deadline of Dec. 15.

NSPGI Learner Achievement Awards: These awards recognize the outstanding achievements of adult learners in Nova Scotia who have shown exceptional progress and achievement in learning and literacy. Two $1000 awards. This if offered prior to the NSPGI event which is typically held in the Spring.

Learning Beacon: This is an online magazine with interactive activities for adult literacy learners in Nova Scotia. The Learning Beacon is published every November. We accept writings by learners on broad topics including ones specific for the community map.

Adult Learners’ Week: This is an annual event including promotion and awareness initiatives, a learning opportunity and public events or presentations. ALW is held the first week of April. Writing workshops are held across Nova Scotia in the fall, a draw for an iPad from submissions of learning stories in early March, learner presentations and promotion through media.

Register now for Practitioner Training modules scheduled for January 2022:
Jan 3 – 28, 2022
• Techniques for Teaching Reading, Writing and Spelling
• Teaching Math: Keeping It Real
Check out the Practitioner Training webpage for details on the program, modules, tuition schedule, and how to register for modules. Questions? Contact Marie David or call 1-800-255-5203. These modules are funded by the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system.
Registration Form for NSSAL Participants
Registration Form for Non-NSSAL Participants (Tuition Payers) 

NSSAL IT Fund: There are funds available for community-based learning organizations to purchase equipment and resources necessary for the delivery of NSSAL’s Adult Learning Program. Read more information on criteria and application process. The NSSAL IT Fund is funded by Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system.

Is there a PD opportunity that would benefit your learning organization?
Apply to the NSSAL PD Fund. Online learning opportunities are eligible. The NSSAL PD Fund is funded by Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system.
Individual applications are no longer accepted. NSSAL now provides funding directly to the CLOs for individual PD. Exceptions will be made to allow for individual expenses to be covered through the PD Fund to ensure equity for travel. We are able to offer travel support to individuals who need to travel over 300 kms round trip and/or stay in a hotel more than 1 night within the province for Professional Development purposes. The support will be for kms and hotel stays only.
Further information on applying

The 23rd Annual Family Literacy Day (FLD) is Thursday, January 27, 2022. ABC Life Literacy Canada will again provide Family Literacy Day materials on their website for the celebration for non-profit literacy groups. For 2022, families are encouraged to get outside and take 15 minutes of fun spending time in nature, which provides many benefits for our minds as well as our bodies.

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December 1, 2021 at 2:30 - 4:00pm AT  Login at 2:15pm
This webinar, offered by LNS and LSI, provides a short look into what we as educators can do to create more diverse and accepting spaces for our students from multiple intersectional identities, backgrounds, and cultures. Register

December 7, 2021 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
Join ABC Life Literacy Canada for a national discussion on different ways we can encourage family literacy in our communities. Two randomly selected attendees at the webinar will win a $100 e-gift card for their organization. The first 15 practitioners to sign-up and attend will receive a HSBC Family Literacy First starter pack. Register

December 8, 2021 at 2:30 - 4:00pm AT  Login at 2:15pm
Join Sue Smiley for a reflection of the year that was; a year that tested our resilience, optimism, and creativity. This webinar, offered by LNS and LSI, will explore strategies to finding the joy again in the classroom, rediscovering inspiration, and self-care. Register

Monday to Friday, January 17th - 21st, from 10:00am - 12:30pm via Zoom
Adult Education Division of Labour, Skills, & Immigration will offer CAMERA training to those who haven’t taken it before. Participants are asked to attend all sessions to fulfill the training requirements. Register by December 3, 2021 by emailing your name, organization and mailing address of where you want the training package sent to
Anna Ou.  Agenda

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LNS Resource Hub is the place for literacy practitioners who teach, tutor or mentor adult learners in Nova Scotia to share and co-develop teaching resources and discuss best practices. This resource is fully funded by Labour, Skills, and Immigration to support the NSSAL system. Recently uploaded resources:

• Webinar: Structured Literacy in Adult Education
• Social Studies Champlain's Map (Steck-Vaughn Pg. 207)
• Webinar: GED - Keeping It Simple
• GED Math Practice Questions
• Webinar: Reflections on Using Digital Tools to Engage, Connect, and Learn – A Panel Discussion
• Webinar: NSSAL Review: Are We There Yet?
• E3 Program Description Template and Checklist
• E3 Programming Companion
• E3 Refresher October 2021
• E3/Essential Skills Program Category Description
• Webinar: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Equity: Meeting Needs and Integrating Strengths in Teaching and Learning Design
• Science & the Mi'kmaw Creation Story - Four Directions Learning Activities
• Indigenous Employment and Skills Strategies
• Decolonization Learning Journey: A List of Terminology
• Office Renaming to L'nu Affairs
• Basic Mi'kmaw Conversation - Office of L'nu Affairs

If you don't already have an account on the LNS Resource Hub, email Elaine Frampton to request an account registration code.

• Imagination and Design: Dec 7, 2021 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  The Design Helix is an emerging approach to support the design process. The role and context of imagination as a driver for the design process will be explored.  Register
  
  
• Place-based Social Innovation Through Living Labs: Dec 9, 2021
  at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  This webinar is the fourth of a monthly series on Place-based initiatives, featuring a diversity of experiences made in Quebec. Register
  
  
• Halton Climate Collective - A Whole-community Climate Response Through Collective Action: Dec 15, 2021 at 1:00 - 2:00pm AT
  Participants will learn how one community has taken their climate response to the next level through shared, collaborative governance. Register
  
  
• Design Production and Solutions: Jan 12, 2021 at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  The second half of the design helix weaves changemakers through the development of new initiatives from animation and prototyping to implementation and sharing, and offers practical tools for each design element. Register
  
  
• Leading a Collective Impact Initiative: Jan 18 and 25; Feb 1, 2022
  Participants is this three-part virtual workshop will gain a solid understanding of the theory and practice of Collective Impact, and the necessary tools and resources to launch and lead a successful Collective Impact effort. Register
  
  
• Design Applications and Lessons Learned: Feb 2, 2022
  at 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  Participants will learn from organization leaders who have applied design to their community change efforts. Register
  
  
• Turf, Trust and Virtual Collaboration: Feb 22, 2022, from 2:00 - 5:30pm AT, with group coaching in March
  Participants will walk away with ideas, tools and approaches to effectively engage diverse community partners and intentionally build trusting relationships and collaborative impact. Register
  
  
• The Essential Mindset and Skillsets of Backbone Leaders: Feb 23, 2022, from 2:00 - 3:00pm AT
  One of the core conditions of collective impact is the investment in backbone infrastructure to help support the collective effort to move forward. Learn how backbone leaders play unique roles in community change efforts. Register
  
  
• Building a Community-Based COVID Renewal Plan: March 8 and 9, 2022
  Learn 10 really good ideas that will support your community as you build a community-based COVID renewal plan that will reignite people and engage them to work together. Register
  
  
• Participatory Evaluation - Community-Based Assessment and Strategic Learning Practices: March 24, 2022
  This webinar will provide the knowledge and tools needed to support decision-making processes and evaluation practices in community change work. Register
  
  

These resources were collected mainly by First Nations people to assist in decolonization and reconciliation.

• Elder Rose Morris Remembers Residential School | CTV News
• Mi’kmaw History | Dr. Daniel N. Paul, Elder, author of We Were Not the Savages
• Become an Ally
• Ally Bill of Responsibilities | Dr. Lynn Gehl
• Colonial Rule of Law | Cindy Blackstock
• Treaties of Peace and Friendship | Lnuey Moving to a Better Tomorrow
• Unsettling the Settler Within: Indian Residential Schools, Truth Telling and Reconciliation in Canada | Paulette Regan; Foreword by Taiaiake Alfred
• Warrior Life Resources
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is 1 step on a long journey | Murray Sinclair
• Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization | Peter McFarland and Nicole Schabus, Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC
• MMIW Final Report
• Be a Good Ally
• 94 recommendations put forth by the federal government by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Alanis Obomsawin films
• Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s Archives
• Rumble: The Indians that Rocked the World
• There are No Fakes
• Other Videos on Decolonization

ABC Life Literacy Canada - November 2021
As I Was Saying - November 2021
CALP Connections - November 2021
Inspiring Communities - November 2021
Literacy Council of New Brunswick - November 2021
Volunteer Canada News - December 2021
World Education / U.S. - November 2021