National Adult Literacy Database

The author begins with a discussion of the social and educational problems facing Canada’s Aboriginal people. He argues that Canadians can learn a great deal from the experiences of the indigenous people of other countries, particularly the Maori of New Zealand.

The author outlines initiatives that have raised literacy levels among the Maori, then goes on to describe the ArrowMight Canada program, which was designed to deliver adult literacy, numeracy, and computer education in a home-based format. The program consists of three modules and includes multimedia lessons. Students also have access to help from a community facilitator.

The author explains that the program is based on the experiences of 35 countries in Latin America and Africa, as well as New Zealand, that use the Cuban teaching philosophy found in the “Yo si Puedo” (Yes, I Can) program. Specific modifications have been made to meet the needs of Native and non-Native English-speaking Canadians.

Pilot applications of the program have been carried out in several regions of Canada.