GNWT announces recipients of 2021 literacy award recipients

May 5, 2022

Celebrating NWT Literacy Week, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released a video announcing the recipients of the 2021 Northwest Territories (NWT) Ministerial Literacy awards and the Council of the Federation Literacy award.

In 2002, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment created the NWT Literacy Awards to celebrate the literacy achievements of:

• youth and adult learners

• exceptional educators
• and organizations and businesses across the territory.

The Council of the Federation Literacy Awards, established in 2004, celebrate the valuable contributions made by Canadians in the field of literacy, as well as adult learners who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to literacy.

The 2021 recipients are:

• Northern Mosaic Network – Council of the Federation Literacy Award
• Y (Lily) Hong – Youth Learner Award
• Oyunbileg Bernabe – Adult Learner Award
• Carolyne Whenham – Outstanding NWT Educator
• Yellowknife Book Cellar – Judith Drinnan – Outstanding Support for Literacy Development NWT Business Award
• Michael Mifflin – Second Language Learner Award
• Mentor Apprenticeship Program Participants – Second Language Learner Award
  • Alicia Camille – Tłı̨chǫ
  • Amy Amos – Gwich’in
  • Bertha Drygeese – Dene Suline
  • Dwayne Drescher – Inuvialuktun
  • Joy Vital – Dene Kede
  • Kerry-Ann Franki – Tłı̨chǫ
  • Valerie Lamalice – Dene Zhatıé
  • Patricia Manuel – Dene Kede
• Aurora College – Supporting Literacy through Technology Award

The nomination period for the 2022 Literacy Awards has now opened. The deadline to nominate a literacy champion for the Premiers of Canada Council of the Federation of Literacy Award is June 24. Nominations for NWT Ministerial Literacy Awards are due August 18. Nomination forms and criteria for the awards can be found at www.ece.gov.nt.ca/nwtliteracyawards.

Quote(s)

“We are honoured to celebrate the achievements of our residents in today’s virtual celebration. Literacy skills in our NWT Official Languages are crucial to daily living, employment, citizenship, personal advancement and life enjoyment. Congratulations to all of our award recipients for your dedication to literacy in the NWT.”

– R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick facts

• There are nine total literacy awards that may be given each year, including eight Ministerial Literacy Awards and the Premiers of Canada Council of the Federation of Literacy Award.
• One Council of the Federation Literacy Award is awarded in each province and territory of the country.
• Nomination Deadlines:
  • Premiers of Canada Council of the Federation : June 24, 2022
  • Ministerial Literacy Awards : August 18, 2022

Related links

• www.ece.gov.nt.ca/nwtliteracyawards
• www.canadaspremiers.ca/the-council-of-the-federation-literacy-award
• NWT Literacy Awards Video

For media requests, please contact:

Public Affairs and Communications
Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Ecepublicaffairs@gov.nt.ca

Backgrounder:

2021_11-_backgrounder_-_literacyawards_fr.pdf
PDF icon 2021_11-_backgrounder_-_literacyawards.pdf

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