OTTAWA,
ON, Sept. 6, 2024 /CNW/ - In honour of
International Literacy Day, Canada's Premiers announced the recipients of
the 20th annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award
and celebrated the Award's milestone anniversary. Presented in each
province and territory, the Award recognizes exceptional
achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.
The recipients of the 2024 Council of the Federation Literacy
Award are:
County of Lethbridge Community Learning Council —
Alberta
Maureen Kehler — British Columbia
Ayni Ahmed —
Manitoba
Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador — Newfoundland and Labrador
Murray Grasse —
New Brunswick
Martine Cadieux —
New Brunswick
NWT Literacy Council — Northwest Territories
Mary 'Lorenda' Harper — Nova Scotia
Patrick
Woodcock — Nunavut
Kayla Dufault —
Ontario
Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI — Prince Edward
Island
Sylvie Héon — Québec
nêhiyawak Language Experience — Saskatchewan
Denis Vachon — Yukon
"On behalf of Canada's
Premiers, I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the
recipients of the 2024 Council of the Federation Literacy Awards
for your outstanding work in advancing literature and education,"
said Doug Ford, Premier of
Ontario and Chair of the Council
of the Federation. "Thanks to your dedication and hard work,
countless Canadians have access to essential literacy skills that
will help set them up for long-term success at their workplace and
in their communities. Your contributions are deeply
appreciated."
Premiers recognize the importance of literacy in enabling
participation as a full and active citizen in all areas of society.
Created in 2004, the Award celebrates adult learners who undertake
literacy training, as well as the valuable contributions made by
Canadians in the field of literacy, including family, Indigenous,
health, workplace, and community literacy. The Award is presented
to learners, educators, volunteers, community organizations, and
businesses in each province and territory. Over the past 20 years,
the Award has highlighted the importance of literacy across the
country, and how it brings people together to not only create a
more prosperous life for themselves, but also contribute to
Canada as a whole.
Each Award recipient receives a certificate, signed by the
Premier of their province or territory, as well as a Council of the
Federation Literacy Award medallion.
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and
territorial Premiers. It enables Premiers to work collaboratively,
form closer ties, foster constructive relationships among
governments, and show leadership on important issues that matter to
Canadians.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
2024 Council of the Federation Literacy Award
Recipients
County of Lethbridge Community Learning Council –
Alberta
The County of Lethbridge Community Learning Council
(CLCLC) has provided adult literacy programs to the region since
2015. Staffed by only two people, Melanie
Patenaude and Roxanne
Samoleski, CLCLC is a key learning organization in the area,
particularly in the provision of English Language Learning (ELL).
Patenaude and Samoleski work collaboratively with the community to
support adult learners in overcoming barriers to learning. CLCLC
works with newcomers and Low German Mennonites to learn English,
navigate Canadian society, and engage with the larger community.
Employers recognize the value of helping their non-English speaking
employees learn English, in one case paying Spanish-speaking staff
to attend ELL classes. CLCLC exemplifies inclusion through its
approach to strengthening communities by innovative, collaborative,
ELL and literacy programming.
Maureen Kehler – British Columbia
Maureen Kehler is a longtime literacy
practitioner and champion whose vision and innovative leadership
has had a positive, far-reaching impact on literacy work throughout
B.C. Through encouragement, problem-solving, and collaboration, she
leads Decoda Literacy Solution's network of literacy outreach
coordinators. Her extensive contributions enable work at the
grassroots level to support learners in 400 communities, as they
develop the skills they need to grow and thrive. What
distinguishes Maureen is her unwavering commitment and
understanding of how literacy can help people. As a catalyst for
positive change, she continues to raise awareness and strengthen
connections between community organizations, businesses, and
government. Advocating for literacy as a human right, Maureen
continues to have a positive lasting impact on B.C.'s literacy
community.
Ayni Ahmed –
Manitoba
Ayni Ahmed always wanted to attend school, but
as the oldest of seven children, never had the chance. Arriving in
Canada in 1984 as a refugee from
Ethiopia, she had to forgo her
dreams due to family and financial responsibilities. In 2022, while
running a successful Ethiopian bakery with her family, Ayni
returned to school at LiteracyWORKS Inc. She has demonstrated
exceptional dedication to improving her literacy skills while being
an active community member, parent, and business owner. Ayni
encourages her classmates every day and is a true leader and a
friend: Returning back to school as an adult has brought me so
much joy. I have become a happier and more confident person
because, against all odds, I am pursuing my dreams.
Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador – Newfoundland and Labrador
The Learning Disabilities
Association of Newfoundland and
Labrador (LDANL), based in
St. John's, is a non-profit
organization dedicated to supporting individuals with learning
disabilities across Newfoundland
and Labrador. LDANL offers a wide
range of services, including adult tutoring, support groups,
screening, and community outreach programs, all aimed at promoting
awareness, providing resources, and advocating for the rights and
needs of individuals with learning disabilities and their
supporters. Working closely with schools, educators, healthcare
professionals, and the community, LDANL strives to enhance
understanding and support for individuals with learning
disabilities, empowering them to achieve their full potential.
LDANL, known for its positive impact, collaborative spirit, and
innovative practices, continues to make a difference in the lives
of diverse learners and vulnerable populations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Murray Grasse – New Brunswick
Murray Grasse's tenure as a teacher with Central
Valley Adult Learning Association for over a decade has been marked
by passion, tireless effort, and a desire to empower learners. He
goes above and beyond to ensure that his students not only grasp
the content but also understand its practical applications in
real-life situations. His teaching is tailored to meet the diverse
needs of his learners. He creates personalized lessons for students
needing support, recognizing that each learner's journey is unique.
From a former student: If I had a teacher like him in high
school, I would not have fallen through the cracks. Murray is
conscientious and diligent. If you don't understand something the
first time, he will rephrase it until you understand. He gave me
time and space to figure out my mistakes, so I had a chance to know
what was wrong. I never felt like I was left
hanging.
Martine Cadieux – New Brunswick
Martine Cadieux is a mother, elementary school
teacher, educational leader and advocate for reading and literacy
in New Brunswick's Francophone
School District – Sud. She encourages reading among children; not
only those who are French-speaking, but also English-speaking
children wanting to learn the French language, and all the people
around her. A jovial and passionate person, she makes you want to
embark on the world of children's literature. During her
maternity leave and the pandemic she created La boîte de
Mme Martine on social media,
hosted 120 story hours for children virtually, and led dance
classes and story hours for toddlers. Her passion, commitment and
remarkable work have earned her two prizes: the Prix Éducation
en Francophonie internationale and the Prix Anime ta
francophonie.
NWT Literacy Council – Northwest
Territories
The NWT Literacy Council (NWTLC) is a
dynamic learning organization with highly skilled staff who work in
Family Literacy, Adult Literacy, Youth Literacy, Indigenous
Languages and Literacy, and non-formal English Language and
Literacy for immigrants. The Council was founded in 1990. Since
then, the board has consciously chosen to promote and support
literacy in all the NWT's official languages and to support
communities in their community-based literacy initiatives. All
the Council's programs provide information, training and resources
to community members interested in or working in literacy in
general and adult literacy in particular. Since 1996, Family
Literacy has been a cornerstone project of the NWTLC, supporting
community development through the Family Literacy Training
Institute, community literacy projects and special events. The
Council has recently moved to include a direct delivery approach
with programs such as Skills for Success offering pre-employment
skill development integrated with cultural connections, and
supported job training.
Mary 'Lorenda' Harper – Nova
Scotia
Mary 'Lorenda' Harper returned to school after
years of working in a factory cafeteria. Despite initial fears,
especially about math, she enrolled in Colchester Adult Learning
Association (CALA) and passed all five GED tests, including math,
in 2023. At CALA, Lorenda is known for her active participation.
Her curiosity and determination create a positive energy in the
classroom, inspiring others to participate more actively. Lorenda's
instructors describe her as "a model of adult learning principles,
problem-focused, self-motivated, and excited to learn." Post-GED,
Lorenda continues to learn and most recently went back for Digital
literacy courses. Beyond academics, Lorenda volunteers with Girl
Guides and MADD Canada, contributing to her community.
Patrick Woodcock –
Nunavut
Patrick Woodcock has worked with United for
Literacy in Iqaluit (formerly
Frontier College) for almost 2 years. Mr. Woodcock has worked
tirelessly to develop a formal literacy program for incarcerated
Nunavummiut. Patrick works four days a week at Nunavut's minimum-to-maximum security
Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility (formerly Baffin
Correctional Centre) and three days a week at the Nunavut Women's
Correctional Centre, where he teaches people one-on-one. Not only
does he help them improve their reading and writing skills, but he
has also taught history, geography, math and other courses. When a
person is released, Mr. Woodcock continues to work with them at
Uttaqivik Community Residential Centre (the halfway house in
Iqaluit) or within the
community. In addition to his work as a literacy leader, he
also acts as a character reference for incarcerated clients needing
to travel between Iqaluit and
other communities in Nunavut or
elsewhere.
Kayla Dufault – Ontario
Kayla is the definition of
resiliency and perseverance. After a challenging childhood, she
dropped out of high school to marry and have a child. She worked
minimum wage jobs but always knew education was the key to a
brighter future. In 2016, Kayla enrolled in the Academic Upgrading
program at Sault College to earn her grade 12 equivalency and start
college. However, she would have to stop and re-enroll several
times for personal reasons. In 2020, she took a cook job in a
long-term care home, putting her education on hold until 2023 when
she returned to finish her grade 12 equivalency and enroll in the
college's culinary arts program. This led to a full-time job,
employer sponsorship of her culinary program, and upcoming
promotion.
Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI – Prince
Edward Island
For over a decade, the Employment and
Skills Team at the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI) has been helping
Indigenous people across PEI by offering adult education and
training opportunities of all kinds. Starting in 2014 with a
Workplace Essential Skills Program in Lennox Island First Nation, MCPEI's
Indigenous-led Employment and Skills Team has shared encouragement
and increased skills among adult learners by prioritizing a safe
and accessible learning environment, meeting participants where
they are, and adapting and being responsive to community needs. The
level of consistency and support has been met with much
appreciation by participants, Indigenous communities, and the
province as a whole, and has empowered countless participants to
overcome barriers and trauma and to find meaningful employment.
Sylvie Héon – Québec
At 54 years old, Ms. Sylvie
Héon, single mother of three children, is an example of courage and
determination. Aspiring to a better future, she returned to studies
at the Rimouski-Neigette Training Centre in the fall of 2023.
Thanks to her efforts, she made spectacular progress in her
learning, which has enabled her to increase her independence.
Involved as a volunteer with an organization that helps victims of
intimate violence, she is also a source of pride for her children,
and her story shows that despite the obstacles, all dreams are
possible. Based on her life experience and thanks to the support of
the core team, she will pursue university studies in the
psychosocial field. Her engagement and her perseverance will
certainly allow her to achieve her goals.
nêhiyawak Language Experience – Saskatchewan
The nêhiyawak Language
Experience (nLE) has been a leading organization in the
preservation and enrichment of Cree language and literacy in
Saskatchewan for two decades. They
have provided language experience and education to thousands of
individuals coming not only from across North America but other continents. What sets
them apart is their commitment to integrating Cree values and
worldviews into the curriculum, fostering not only language
proficiency but also cultural pride and identity. Their community
development philosophy is based on three elements: access,
affordability and education. nLe's origin is in Sturgeon Lake First
Nation, SK and it is here that they founded a Multifaceted Language
Revitalization Project. They engage in language revitalization
research and contribute to the restoration of Cree literacy through
workshops, presentations and community projects. Notably, nLE has
hosted summer literacy immersion camps since 2004, that provide
hands on experiences in land-based learning, reinforcing cultural
connections and language skills. Their programs have been described
as medicine contributing to therapeutic nourishment and
healing.
Denis Vachon –
Yukon
Denis bravely
nominated himself for this award in the hopes of inspiring others.
A determined individual, Denis persevered through a difficult
childhood that didn't support his literacy needs. He returned
to school as an adult and learned to read and write in French. With
support from L'Arbralettre in Québec and his classmates, he would
eventually receive his high school diploma, two additional
diplomas, and a certificate in mycology.
Today, Denis continues his pursuit of literacy in the Yukon. He spends two hours each day studying
English vocabulary and conversation at Yukon University. He is an avid volunteer and
previously dedicated more than 450 hours in a single year to a
non-profit organization in Whitehorse. Talking about the challenges he
faced, Denis said, "Being illiterate is an extremely difficult
reality and a handicap one carries every day." He hopes his story
will inspire others who face literacy barriers to never stop
pursuing their dreams.
SOURCE Council of the Federation Secretariat