The recipients of the 18th annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award have been named, and the list includes two New Brunswickers.
Presented in each province and territory, the Award celebrates exceptional achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.
Valarie Higgins is a steadfast and supportive leader with the Moncton Regional Literacy Council (MRLC) and Laubach Literacy New Brunswick. She has led countless committees and councils to advance the cause of literacy in New Brunswick and has worked as a tutor, coordinator and board member. Valarie has helped hundreds begin their literacy journey. Though she has stepped down as the President of the board of MRLC, she continues to serve on the board and continues to have a direct impact as a mentor for new tutors, taking them under her wing and nurturing their passion for literacy. Her dedication and passion for literacy are apparent to all.
In Jean-François Ouellette’s role as a teacher at the Tournesol Adapted Learning Centre in Edmundston, he works mainly with adult learners with disabilities. Jean-François is enthusiastic, respectful, patient, persevering, innovative, and has a well-developed capacity to adapt. It is a source of great pride for him when his students succeed at learning and achieve their ultimate goal of earning their GED certificate. To assist a learner with reduced sight, he learned Braille so that he could develop learning activities that incorporate a tactile dimension. His remarkable work has positively impacted learners on a provincial scale and is bound to continue generating benefits for future learners. Jean-François’ outstanding achievement in teaching deserves recognition. Thanks to his dedication, he is helping to improve the skills of New Brunswickers.
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.
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.1
Here is the full list of recipients of the 2022 Council of the Federation Literacy Award are:
Prospect Human Services Society– Alberta
Margaret Sutherland – British Columbia
Marilyn Freda Captain – Manitoba
Krista Stephens – Newfoundland and Labrador
Valarie Higgins – New Brunswick
Jean-François Ouellette – New Brunswick
Western Arctic Youth Collective – Northwest Territories
Andrew Chacko – Nova Scotia
Jeela Palluq-Cloutier – Nunavut
Ontario’s e-Channel Team – Ontario
Sally Hitchcock – Prince Edward Island
KidsFirst NORTH – Saskatchewan
Donald Inverarity – Yukon
For a full description of each of the recipients, visit HERE
