PROFILE

  SALN brochure (pdf 275k)
  Mission Statement
  Philosophy Statement
  Guiding Principles
  Vision Statement
  Goals

MISSION STATEMENT

A mission statement is a statement of purpose. It clearly and concisely declares or describes the business of the organization, that is, its reason for existing. The mission statement states the scope of what the organization hopes to accomplish.

The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc. (SALN) exists to work with First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Aboriginal people and communities to promote and support Aboriginal literacy.

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PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The philosophy is a statement describing the values and beliefs of the organization pertaining to the issues organized around and the work to be done. A philosophy statement reflects itself in the operations and the way in which decisions are made.

SALN believes that literacy is a basic human right and that adequate access to diverse learning opportunities enhances a person’s quality of life, participation in their community, and cultural growth. SALN believes in lifelong learning, community-based, and sustainable community development approaches to literacy.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

A principle is a comprehensive or general truth forming a basis for action; a rule of action or conduct deliberately adopted by the SALN. These principles are based on the following definition of Aboriginal literacy:

Aboriginal literacy is a learner-centered approach to life-long learning that honours the inter-connectedness of all aspects of creation, for growth, personal empowerment, community development, and self-determination.

Aboriginal Literacy encompasses first languages, Elder involvement, culture, and community in a holistic development approach to unify mind, heart, body and spirit.

The following are the fundamental and guiding principles of the SALN:

Aboriginal Literacy is:

• A basic human right.
• Inclusive of many peoples.
• Built in an atmosphere of cooperation amongst Métis, First Nations, and other peoples in Saskatchewan and Canada.
• Inclusive of all ages, from children, to youth, to adults, and Elders.
• Inclusive of formal & informal ways of learning.
• Sensitive to and builds on the culture of the people.
• Striving to strengthen languages of origin.
• Linked to many areas of life including, but not limited to, health, politics, justice, and the economy.
• Linked to many issues of life including, but not limited to, food, housing, social justice, poverty, and the environment.

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VISION STATEMENT

This statement presents what the SALN would like the future to look like.

Aboriginal literacy will be owned and managed by Aboriginal people in order to foster healthy, literate communities that contribute to the growth and well being of society through integrated, meaningful, and diverse learning experiences that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

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GOALS

Taking our lead from numerous community consultations, including the Gathering in 2002, the SALN has committed itself to the following goals:

1. Increase awareness of the value, importance, and uniqueness of Aboriginal literacy in Saskatchewan.
2. Develop support for community-based sustainable Aboriginal literacy initiatives.
3. Promote and support curriculum, instructional methods, and assessment processes based in Aboriginal values and ways of knowing, for example, Elder involvement, Aboriginal languages, and spirituality.

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