Every child in a South Slave school will take home two books as part of the Let's Read campaign, which encourages families to read together.
Each student will be given one age-appropriate book and one book in a language spoken in their community: Chipewyan, Cree or Slavey.
The South Slave Divisional Education Council says the books are by Northern authors and have themes such as hunting, trapping, traditional values and elders' stories.
Families are being asked to record the time they spend reading for entry into a draw. Winners will get gift cards to buy more books.
Students from Hay River, Fort Smith, Lutsel K'e, K'atlodeeche and Fort Resolution, and their parents, are also encouraged to talk about what they read on the educational council's Facebook page.
“We're hoping this initiative will create a kind of giant book club, in which youth, families, community members and elders are reflecting and talking with each other about what they read,” program coordinator Dorie Hanson stated on Thursday.
“Reading with your children is a great way to improve their language and literacy skills, and at the same time, build strong family connections.”
Let's Read is funded in part by the Community Literacy Development Fund and the territorial department of Education, Culture and Employment.