This is a literature review on Aboriginal literacy from the perspective of an Aboriginal literacy worker and professional. It draws on about 80 sources, including documents written by literacy and education practitioners, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, working with Aboriginal people, as well as scholarly literature written by health, science and adult education professionals on topics related to the holistic and healing approaches to education, literacy and life.

This paper is designed to provide information and possibly direction for the Aboriginal literacy field and its stakeholders as to the best ways of comprehending and nourishing the learning spirit.

Part I outlines the Aboriginal worldview as it relates to literacy and education. Part II examines the implications of these principles for literacy education. Part III gives concrete examples of Aboriginal literacy programming as it exists today and Part IV summarizes the key ideas of this document.