Katkwenyes Program

Katkwenyes (meaning succeed) is an Ontario literacy and basic skills upgrading program dedicated to providing a safe and culturally appropriate environment geared toward Indigenous adult learners 19 years of age and older.

Participants must self-identify as Indigenous and be working towards one or more 5 goal paths (transition to Independence, High-School Credit, Post-Secondary, Employment and/or Apprenticeship). Each learner, regardless of their goal path, receives the same five services as supported by the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework.:
• Information and Referral
• Assessment
• Learner Plan Development
• Training
• Follow-up

Upon entry to the program, learners work with staff to identify their learning needs. Based on their identify needs and Goal Path they complete a skills assessment process which leads to the development of an individualized Learning Plan. (ILP)

Learners attend daily classes Monday-Thursday. Monday-Wednesday from 9:30-3:30 pm they work independently on individually designed programming associated with their ILP with the support of a Literacy instructor. Every Thursday learners receive one-on-one- tutoring to ensure their progress and assist in their skills development.

In addition Katkwenyes provides cultural workshops including Cultural crafts and the Scared Grandfathers’ teaching. Learners also participate in cultural events held at the Friendship Centre including the Youth & Elders Conference, Pow –Wows & Socials.

Location Ontario

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website https://www.fenfc.org/

Contact

Ashley Upper, Katkwenyes Coordinator, Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre
905-871-8931 Ext: 237
Katkwenyes@fenfc.org
796 Buffalo Rd, Fort Erie, ON L2A-5H2

Project Details

Community Rural

Scope of Project Local

Target Audience First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Youth (15-30 yrs), Adults (31-49 yrs), Older workers (50+ yrs), Persons with disabilities

Initiative Impact

What is the overall impact of the initiative and how is this measured?

This year’s goal is 93 participants and to date 89 learners have attended the program.

What challenges have you faced and how were these overcome?

Challenges
• Attendance and helping learners to maintain motivation is always a challenge especially in the winter when weather is bad. Some attendance issues are related to challenges with transportation and day care. We assist participants by providing transportation allowance as well as day care subsidies.
• Participants may also exhibit low self-esteem and lack of confidence in themselves as successful learners. We attempt to help them by regularly recognizing and recording individual learners’ achievements, successes and progress.
• Recruitment of participants. Getting the word out to the community and partnering agencies about our program. Planning to broaden our communication plan to include more community based resources such a local radio.

What are 3 key lessons you learned from developing or delivering your initiative? What advice from those lessons would you share with others?

• Don’t get discouraged. Take it one day at a time and celebrate the successes you have.
• Everyone is different so success and progress will look different for each learner. Start with where the learner is at.
• Look at helping someone during each day.

Incorporation of Essential Skills

Which Essential Skills are covered by the initiative? Reading Text Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communications Working with Others Thinking Skills Computer Use Continuous Learning

How are the Essential Skills integrated into your initiative?

Katkwenyes ‘ programming is supported by the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF), a competency-based framework that supports the development of adult literacy programming delivered through the Literacy and Basic Skills centre (LBS) The OALCF draws on the Essential Skills. Competencies treated in the Curriculum Framework intersect with ES domains (A. Find and Use Information •B. Communicate Ideas and Information •C. Understand and Use Numbers •D. Use Digital Technology •E. Manage Learning •F. Engage with Others.) The Curriculum Framework uses three levels to describe a learner’s developing proficiency to perform tasks; these levels are informed by the same factors that drive complexity at Essential Skills (ES) Levels 1, 2, and 3

Katkwenyes offers regular programming in areas of: Basic Upgrading, Basic Computers (beginner level), Intermediate Computers (PowerPoint), Advanced Computers (Excel), Tutoring, G1 Driver Education, Aboriginal Languages, Cultural/traditional activities, Journaling.
In the future program participants will be able to access free courses offered through LinkedIn.

How do you assess participant Essential Skills?

Literacy and essential skills are assessed at a participant’s entry into the program and skills development is monitored throughout the program using Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF) milestones.

Project Components

What are the components of the initiative? Academic upgrading Occupational certifications and/or licensing Life skills Career and/or educational planning Cultural, language, and tradition awareness and/or training Other

How do you support participant success in the program? Transportation allowance Child care support Individualized tutoring Food allowance and/or on-site meals Access to other in-house services After program follow-up support

How was Indigenous culture integrated into the program content or delivery?

Katkwenyes literacy and basic skills upgrading is delivered from a cultural perspective and tailored to the needs of Indigenous learners.
Throughout the year Katkwenyes also hosts a variety of cultural workshops including crafts (moccasins, dream catchers, beading, drum making, medicine pouches) medicines (salve making, medicine walks, eco- circles, cooking).

What do you think are the most important competencies and attributes for staff involved in this initiative to have?

• Solid knowledge of literacy and essential skill learning practices
• Kindness and compassion
• Ability to create a safe and comfortable learning environment
• Professionalism
• Confidentiality

Who are your partners, and what is their involvement in the initiative?

Ontario Works – recruitment
Literacy Link Niagara
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities