Enhancing Literacy and Traditional Values of Saskatchewan First Nation Children Using eBooks

Literacy gaps among First Nations children are an issue impacting many communities throughout Saskatchewan. Prior to beginning school, some First Nations children have weak language skills, but technology, specifically electronic books (eBooks), can help to bridge this gap.

Recent Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate Rene Lerat from the Regina Campus and Rhonda Kayseas, Treaty 4 Literacy Director, had a great idea about a research project that would help meet the needs of pre-school children and their families. After thinking about the best way to move the project forward, they approached Dr. Lynn Jansen, Associate Dean Southern Saskatchewan Regina Campus, Professor Dr. Sandra Bassendowski and Aboriginal Nursing Advisor Heather Cote-Soop. Together, they partnered on a collaborative and innovative project - the design and creation of an eBook for First Nations children under the age of five.

Using a combination of First Nations teachings, including the Seven Sacred Teachings and a variety of stories, the eBook is interactive, easily accessed and available for families to use on a variety of mobile devices. The eBook, Seven Sacred Teachings for Families, is designed to promote an increase in early literacy, a key determinant of health and well-being.

Sydney Lerat, another undergraduate nursing student at the Regina Campus, joined the project in summer 2016. During the summer, she gathered feedback on the integration of the eBook into Treaty 4 communities and this feedback was then used to update the eBook accordingly.

Rene has presented the key aspects of the eBook research project at two conferences in Montreal and Vancouver and received a University of Saskatchewan Aboriginal Student Achievement Award for Research Excellence. Funding for the research and the creation of the eBook was provided by the College of Nursing, the University of Saskatchewan Community of Aboriginal Nursing and a University of Saskatchewan Research Assistantship.

Work is continuing on the eBook over the summer of 2017, with funding from the Ministry of the Economy Student Summer Works program. A nursing student is working with families to co-create and integrate new material into the eBook. The book is designed to build on traditional knowledge, so by working with more families, the book is expanding to cover an assortment of legends, communities and families. Once the updates are complete, the nursing student will form a plan to distribute the material to a larger audience.