Inuit women win national literacy awards

Two Inuit women are included in this year’s literacy award winners, presented annually by Council of the Federation.

Mary Kuglugiak, originally from Chesterfield Inlet but now residing in Manitoba, and Ashley Tulugak, of Rankin Inlet, were announced Sept. 8 as recipients of The Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

The award “celebrates exceptional achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy,” a news release from the Council of the Federation Secretariat said.

The Council of the Federation is a national body made up of the leaders of each province and territory.

Tulugak received her award for her work in “developing and implementing a new Nunavut curriculum in kindergarten and Grade 1.” She integrated Inuktitut into the territory’s curriculum across all subjects.

Kuglugiak is a survivor of the residential school system and addiction, the news release said. She “found healing and purpose through the Open Doors Adult Literacy Program in Winnipeg.”

While her first language is Inuktitut, at the program she learned to become fluent in English, written and spoken. She hopes to one day become a translator.

“Now I know I can learn, and I am not afraid to try new things,” Kuglugiak said in the news release.

The council gave out 14 awards in total to organizations and individuals in each province and territory.

Here is the full list:

• Hinton Adult Learning Society — Alberta;
• Friends of Simon — British Columbia;
• Mary Kuglugiak — Manitoba;
• Stella’s Circle Education Programs — Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Marie Doiron — New Brunswick;
• Ginny Hooper — New Brunswick;
• NWT Disabilities Council — Northwest Territories;
• Mary Smith — Nova Scotia;
• Ashley Tulugak — Nunavut;
• Nancy Dewar — Ontario;
• Bernadette Schellen-Graham — Prince Edward Island;
• Saintalia Andre — Quebec;
• Southwest Literacy Committee — Saskatchewan;
• Sara McPhee-Knowles — Yukon.