Promoting Reading in the Klondike

by Dan Davidson

It was a little too cold the first time that Kathy Findlay-Brook tried to sponsor a community reading event for literacy week. Minus forty-five Celsius was a bit too chilly for even the most dedicated readers on January 28.

Fortunately things had warmed up substantially by the following Tuesday, and February 3 turned out to be a very busy afternoon at the

These two can handle their own reading chores. Photo by Dan Davidson

Han Language Centre on Second Avenue.

Parents, children, one of the daycares and the after school care program all dropped in between 3:30 and 5:30, all intent on reading books, playing word games and winning some of the gift certificates that were available after certain literary tasks had been completed.

Findlay-Brooks is the current Community Education Liaison Coordinator with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and she formed a partnership with the Dawson Community Library, Maximilian's Gold Rush Emporium, and Yukon Learn.

The library provided some older books to give away, while Max donated some newer ones and Yukon Learn provided goodie bags of stickers, tattoos and postcards, as well as helping financially with the purchase of gift certificates from Maximilian's. The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in first nation also contributed funding for this, as well as providing the space to use.

"Basically," said Findlay-Brooks, "this event was to encourage the level of reading in families (during Family Reading Week) so I was quite happy to see that a few parents came and sat with their kids. That was really nice.

"It was quite a nice quiet pace at the beginning, but it really picked up when the daycare showed up."

The parents pitched in and sat with groups. Some junior high school girls showed up to help read, along with a couple of senior high students.

"My real thing," Findlay-Brooks said, "is that I see family literacy as necessary in a first nation and I'm trying to promote that.

"Because there's such a long tradition of oral history I think that there's a real heritage thing there where stories are passed down orally. Culturally, it's quite a thing too, and I think it's really worth working with. Many of the difficulties that the kids have at school are just based on the language skills that they need more support in.

"I'm trying to introduce family support for literacy, so I'm hoping to have more events."

In March she is planning an education night with a pot-luck supper and a workshop from Yukon Learn.

"They're going to do a four hour workshop on ideas for promoting family literacy. We're going to kind of a (literary) fair thing, where kids will go around to different tables and do different activities, as well a bingo."

In the long term she like to see various groups form partnerships and hold events to sponsor literacy.

Dawson Minor Hockey Team - YMHC Tournament February 7 & 8th, 2004

Back Row (L to R) Douglas Johnson (coach), Alex Whitelaw, Tamika Knutson, Kristan Van Biber, Selena Kaytor, Hanna Findley-Brook, Pait Johnson, Aurora Knutson, Amanda Graham, Tyler Taylor, Chris Johnson (coach), Ryan Hack (coach)

Front Row(L to R) Derrick Magee, Ted Hunter, Andrew Taylor, Bradley Keaton, Ryan Dragoman, Clinton Taylor, Goalie: Daniel Naef

Photo by Marion Kaytor

Dawson Minor Hockey travels to YMHC in Whitehorse Submitted by Minor Hockey

submitted

During the weekend of February 7 & 8th, sixteen minor hockey players, three coaches and a support team of parents traveled into Whitehorse for the Yukon Minor Hockey Championship. This was the first tournament in approximately four years that Dawson Minor Hockey was able to attend. Team spirit was high and they played with their hearts. Keeping in mind that some of the team members had only been playing for 6- 8 weeks, the commitment and not giving up was a tremendous thing to see. Dawson team placed 8th in the overall results. Our last game, against Watson Lake was the most intense. To the credit of Dawson, we had the strongest compliment of females on our mixed team.

Thanks to the coaches, Ryan Hack, Douglas Johnson, & Chris Johnson. The encouragement and support they gave the hockey players was second to none. Without all the coaches who are generously giving their time - our hockey program would not be growing as it is. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

Thank you also to the parents who traveled in for the tournament - Many were seen throughout the weekend, helping with equipment, tying up skates, or looking for misplaced equipment. Everyone got to the rink on time!

To see the success of Dawson's Minor Hockey Program is something we can be proud of. More and more youth are signing up. On minor hockey nights many parents can be seen learning the art of putting on equipment, knowing when to sharpen the skates and what must be done to keep the hockey stick in excellent shape.

Thank you for those who have donated to Minor Hockey. There are plans for further fundraising events to assist with the costs associated with the hockey program. Watch for upcoming details.