A Mother, a Teacher, a Storyteller: Learning Together in the North
- Meg Sauvé
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 minutes ago
Since 2020, the NWT Literacy Council has been delivering the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program – the northernmost of its kind in Canada. In the heart of the Northwest Territories, this initiative helps families turn everyday moments into opportunities for learning, connection, and confidence.
Oyuka’s Journey
When Oyuka moved to the Northwest Territories in 2019 with her three children, she was navigating a new country, a new language, and a new way of life.
Shortly after arriving, she discovered HIPPY – a brand-new initiative at the NWT Literacy Council, designed to empower mothers in their role as their children’s first and best teachers. The experience helped her find her voice, build confidence, and see her role in her children’s education in a new light:
“I’m a parent, but thanks to the HIPPY program, I now know I’m also my children’s first teacher”
“The HIPPY program launched Oyuka and her whole family in the community,” recalls Grayce Patino, Coordinator and Home Visitor at the NWT Literacy Council. The family has now left Yellowknife, but they’ve left a permanent mark on the community.
From HIPPY Lessons to Published Books
In 2020, Oyuka’s family became one of the first to join the HIPPY program. Her oldest son, Sebastian, though already in elementary school, took a strong interest in the HIPPY program and loved to sit beside his mother during lessons with his younger siblings, Elizabeth and Samuel.
A passionate reader and artist, Sebastian found inspiration in one of the program’s modules, encouraging children to create their own stories. Something clicked for him.
At just seven years old, he wrote and illustrated his first book, The Alaskan Boy Who Explored Bushkids. Since then, he has written two more books. His most recent title, I Wish I Lived in a Library, was published in both English and French.
Oyuka shares that Sebastian has always had a vivid imagination and original ideas, but struggled to structure his stories before the HIPPY program. What began as a literacy exercise became a lifelong passion that transformed Sebastian from an avid reader to a prolific writer – a reminder that when parents and children learn together, whole families thrive.
Empowering Families in the North
In May 2024, Reem Abdulkader, Director of Multicultural HIPPY (West) at Mothers Matter Canada, visited the NWT Literacy Council to meet Grayce and Oyuka – and witness firsthand the strength of northern families.
As both Coordinator and Home Visitor, Grayce is the heart of the HIPPY program in Yellowknife. She not only manages the program but also visits families in their homes, offering guidance, encouragement, and care. Since 2020, she’s supported over 35 families – “She does it all,” says Reem. “And she’s adored by every family she supports.”
For Grayce, the work is deeply personal. As an immigrant herself, she understands the power of connection:
“I’ve been through the same challenges. Now I get to help families find their path – and their sense of belonging.”
Beyond the Program: Building Connection and Confidence
From a mother discovering her voice to a young author finding his own, Oyuka’s story reflects the heart of HIPPY: empowering families through shared learning and connection. In the vast and beautiful North, programs like HIPPY don’t just teach – they weave families into the fabric of their communities.
As Grayce puts it, “The uniqueness of the North is that the impact of HIPPY goes beyond the program. The families we support aren’t just participants – they become neighbours, friends, and members of our community.”
To help families like Oyuka’s as they build new beginnings in Canada, donate today. Every contribution strengthens programs that empower parents and enrich communities across the country.