Conference aims to help First Nations literacy

About 50 per cent of First Nations children have problems with speech and language by the time they start junior kindergarten, reports the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

That statistics is the driving force behind a two-day long conference being held in the city.

Hundreds of the region's literacy and language professionals, and teachers are learning the tools and techniques to help First Nations children develop stronger language, reading and writing skills at a young age. Attendees at the Health Unit event are hearing guest speakers and presentations to learn how to incorporate First Nations culture and traditions into their teaching methods to better relate to Aboriginal children.

This is the first time the Health Unit has held a conference on First Nations literacy rates.

The event wraps up continues and concludes Friday afternoon.