Literacy and Learning Day

Day 10 of registration is almost over and already at 45% Capacity :) Yay!!! I cannot wait to hear David Bouchard again! AND Let's not forget Barbara Coloroso :) Both amazing speakers coming back to help us celebrate 10 years!!

http://www.facebook.com/LiteracyDay

Aboriginal Focus on the Prairie

Early March found me on the Blood and Peigan Reserves in Alberta working with the Blackfoot people. From there I traveled to Saskatchewan where I spoke to the SUNTEP programme (picture attached) SUNTEP: Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Programme at the University of Regina and onto the First Nations University of Canada. My focus is clear: reading is the one weapon needed to succeed in education. Aboriginal people do not read because they have not been included in books and because the books that are age appropriate are not accessible to them. That is changing and now, reading has to become a focus in our Aboriginal communities.

Touring in Northern Ontario

Manitoulin Island and Sudbury:

http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/audioplayer.html?clipid=2201451351

February and back on tour

It's Feb. 1 and I'm headed back out on the road. I'll be in Alberta this week, then in Ontario for the next two weeks. My calendar gives a feel for my next two months...on the road making new friends and catching up with old ones.

It's been crazy since early December. Our mom died on Dec. 10th. Dad (94) broke his hip on Nov. 22nd...so he was in the hospital at the time. Since then...since then, we've celebrated our Mother's long, happy life. We've sold mom and dad's condo and helped dad move into a new, exciting suite.

This month has been one of honours. The Metis Nation of Canada named me as their first Prime Minister while READ Victoria named me their champion for 2012.

And this is an active time for my writing. Raven's Greatest Creation is a proving to be a hit. Beneath Raven Moon (les Editions des Plaines) is ready to go to press as is Rainbow Crow (Red Deer Press). I'm ready for a long tour and geared up for our annual trip to Paris for the Salon du Livre (in March).

2012 is the Year of the Dragon. I am a Dragon and ready to be carried by the tide of an exciting year.

Gong Hei Fat Choi 2012

Gong Hei Fat Choi 2012 - the Year of the Dragon!

Thanks to my friend, designer Arifin Graham, for sending me this picture. He didn't say where he took it but I suspect it was the public library in Oak Bay.

One of the highlights of my life as a writer was to do five books with Zhong-Yang Huang, the Master Professor at the University of Guangzhou. Yang taught me about his culture. He guided me through our books and at the end of the journey, I was a better writer and a better human being. Yang taught me how lucky I was to be born in the year of the Dragon. He was very clear in telling me that I should marry a Goat (Sheep) and that I did in the person of my Vicki.

To one and all - Gong Hei Fat Choi!

Merry Christmas friends

From my family to our friends and your families...Merry Christmas. May your holiday season be one of good health and much love! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_XTwr7qnl0&list=UUwaT1CSMx_QTZq-En0tZ9iQ&index=32&feature=plcp

The Great White North

It's December and I'm in Northern Ontario.

This week, I spoke to 5000 high school students, thousands of elementary kids and a good number of adults (parents, teachers and administrators)in Thunder Bay.

I continue to promote reading through modeling and common sense practices: reading through accessible and inclusive books: no books - no reading. No books that are inclusive and accessible - no reading.

I'm headed south to Fort Frances where my friend/host Brent Tookenay will take me out into a number of their reserves...to share the same passionate message.

Soon, it will be Christmas. My gift for all the kids I'm privileged to work with is the gift of reading.