A literacy program for newborns at NRGH started as an idea between colleagues Dr. Bill Ehman, a family physician and Dr. Jane Pegg, a pediatrician. From this initial “seed”, and with a network of volunteer roots and community donations, Roots to Read launched 6 months later in June 2022. Our goal is to provide information and tools to inform and support parents in developing the pathways to literacy in their child, at the time of crucial brain development. We are reassuring parents that the simple actions of reading, speaking, and singing to their child, with “serve and return” interactive communication, in any language and regardless of parent literacy level, will grow their child’s literacy roots! 

Implemented in response to declining literacy rates in children starting kindergarten in Canada (and locally), and using existing Canadian models and resources, the program provides education at newborn discharge from our perinatal staff and a book bag that includes carefully curated books, a child library card application, and a card set from the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation with literacy book sharing tips across the early years.

We are now so honoured to have the voice of a world-renowned Indigenous artist, storyteller, and children’s author Roy Henry Vickers behind the program, and his financial support with a donation of his time in our special evening with him, and 2 limited edition prints for auction.  

Roots to Read is off to a wonderful first year. 1500 book bags will have been distributed by June 2023.

FULLY FUNDED BY DONATIONS AND WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT-

Please help all our babies get off to a healthy literacy start. 

-Come to this special event.

-Bid on Limited edition signed prints by Roy Henry Vickers

-Donate below 

Donations between now and April 12th are being matched by the Nanaimo Community Foundation up to $10,000! 

Canadian artist ROY HENRY VICKERS is best known for his limited edition prints. He is also a world-renowned printmaker, painter, carver, author, sought-after keynote speaker, and designer. Influenced by his mixed heritage, he developed a unique artistic style, which is identifiable through its clean lines, vivid colours, and natural themes drawn from the rugged beauty of BCs West Coast. Through merging the uncomplicated, stylized forms of his aboriginal ancestry with the realism of European art, Roy brings two worlds together and creates vibrant images that speak to a universal spirit. His artwork is held in museums and private collections across Canada and the World and is mostly sold through his artist-owned and operated gallery. The gallery is a traditional northwest coast longhouse, Roy built in 1986 in the village of Tofino.

Roy Henry Vickers was born June 4th, 1946, in Greenville, British Columbia. His father was a fisherman with half-Tsimshian, half-Heiltsuk ancestry; his mother, a teacher of British heritage. The Vickers family lived in Kitkatla, Hazelton, and Victoria. In 1973 Roy began studying traditional Native art at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in Ksan, BC.

Over the years Roy has received many honours for his work. In 1987, at the commonwealth Summit in Vancouver, the original painting of Roy’s “A Meeting of Chiefs” was the official gift of the Province of British Columbia to Queen Elizabeth II. Between 1987 to 1995, Vickers was the artistic advisor for the Vancouver International Airport’s new terminal where some of his work is still prominently displayed. During the Vancouver Summit in 1993, former Soviet leader Boris Yeltsin and former U.S. president Bill Clinton received artist’s proofs of Roy’s print “The Homecoming” as the Province’s official gift. In 1994 he was included in the MacLean's Honour Roll of most influential Canadians. In 1998 he received the Order of British Columbia in recognition of his significant contributions to society. In 2003, Roy received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian culture, and in 2007 was awarded the prestigious Order of Canada. In 2018 Roy received a Grammy nomination for his design work on the 19-disc box set of recordings by The Grateful Dead.

Roy has completed many carvings and totem poles over the years. The 10-meter (30-foot) Salmon Totem for the 1994 Commonwealth Games' aquatic centre near Victoria being one of his most iconic. He is also the author/illustrator of many books, including Solstice: The Art of Roy Henry Vickers (1988), The Elders Are Watching (1990), Spirit Transformed: A Journey from Tree to Totem (1996), Copperman – The Art of Roy Henry Vickers (2003), The Storyteller (2014), Voices from the Skeena (2019), as well as his

best-selling and award-winning children’s books; First West Coast Book series and Northwest Coast Legends series.

In 2004 Roy returned with his family to Hazelton, where he now lives and works on the majestic Skeena River and continuously finds inspiration.

Roy Henry Vickers Gallery

350 Campbell Street, Tofino BC

250-725-3235 www.royhenryvickers.com