In honour of International Literacy Day, Canada’s Premiers took the opportunity to share the winners of the 2024 Council of the Federation Literacy Award.
This award is presented in every province and territory, and recognizes exceptional achievement, innovation, and excellence in the field of literacy.
Among the Northern regions, the winners are Denis Vachon from Yukon, Patrick Woodcock from Nunavut, and the NWT Literacy Council.
David Vachon had nominated himself for the award with the hope of inspiring others. After a childhood that did not foster literacy skills, Vachon returned to school as an adult and learned to read and write in French. After receiving support from friends and classmates, he was able to receive his high school diploma, two additional diplomas, and a certificate in mycology. Denis now spends two hours a 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.
In Nunavut, Patrick Woodcock has been working with United for Literacy for almost two years, and has been working to develop a new literacy program incarcerated Nunavummiut. Patrick spends four days a week working with inmates at the minimum-to-maximum security Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility, and the other three days of the week at the Nunavut Women’s Correctional Centre. He works to help the inmates work on their reading and writing, as well as history, geography, math and other courses. Once an inmate is released, Patrick continues to work with them at Uttaqivik Community Residential Centre.
Finally, the NWT Literacy Council provides literacy services for adults, youths, Indigenous languages, non-formal English, and immigrants. Founded in 1990, the Council has promoted and supported literacy efforts in all of the NWT’s official languages. 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.
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.
