Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Literacy skills are the foundation of a happy and successful life. On Wednesday, January 27th, families from across the Northwest Territories celebrated Family Literacy Day.
Throughout the Territory, there are many people who are dedicated to helping others in all areas of literacy from numeracy to computer skills. I want to thank the NWT Literacy Council and all the literacy coordinators, aboriginal language instructors, teachers, mentors across the Territory for their commitment. These people make every day a literacy day and I encourage all Northerners to follow their example.
Mr. Speaker, literacy is an essential life skill. People who can read and write are better prepared to live fulfilled lives and contribute to society as a whole. Literacy opens all kinds of doors for a range of opportunities in all aspects of life and connects people with each other. Whatever makes up your family, Family Literacy Day is a perfect opportunity to lead by example and engage the people closest to you in a great activity. You are spending quality time with loves ones and bettering yourself in the process.
Mr. Speaker, one of the best things about literacy is that people do not only have to go to textbooks to improve their skills. There are many simple things everybody can do each day. A parent can read to their kids a bedtime story, which helps both parents and kids improve their skills and develop a love for reading. Sharing traditional stories is another good activity, which not only supports good literacy but also helps us to connect to our culture and heritage. If you are looking for something to do on a weekend, consider taking a trip to the library where books are free if you have a library card.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank everybody who participated in National Family Literacy Day activities. We are lucky. There are so many people committed to improving literacy in our Territory and I encourage all Northerners to make family literacy a priority every day. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
