Carol Ann Kydd, left, and Forrest Kendi received awards from Inuvik's Literacy Committee at the conclusion of NWT Literacy Week. At right is Jane Dale, whose kindergarten class won a classroom challenge at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 12/01) - An awards program last Friday capped a successful series of events held here to mark NWT Literacy Week.

Inuvik's Literacy Committee awarded three people who made a contribution to literacy over the past year, or served as a role model to the community towards literacy and language. Honored were Carol Ann Kydd, Forrest Kendi and Elijah Allen.

The award ceremony took place in the resource room of Aurora College. The NWT Literacy Council started NWT Literacy Week eight years ago.

"We really did a lot of emphasis on community participation, community support this year," explained Alfred Moses, member of the Inuvik Literacy Committee.

"It was really, really successful," he said. "Literacy is a lifelong learning process."

A community challenge was held Oct. 2, in which people were encouraged to read for 15 minutes. Inuvik recorded about 970 readers.

Last week a classroom reading challenge was held at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school, with Jane Dale's kindergarten class capturing top honors.

Canadian author Richard Scrimger visited Holman and Inuvik and put on several readings. Other events included a luncheon at Ingamo Hall, and a used book sale and an afternoon of community leaders reading to children at the Inuvik Centennial Library.

Other members of the Inuvik Literacy Committee include Theresa Ross, Susan Ross, Nora Dixon, Debra English and Christine Bersett, as well as Camellia Gray.

Gray said the committee will meet later this month, and welcomes suggestions on how to make next year's events better.

Canada Post awards

Two Canada Post Literacy Awards were also handed out on Friday.

Ian Selluski, operations supervisor for Canada Post in Inuvik, presented the Inuvik Centennial Library with the Canada Post community leadership award.

One such award is presented for each territory or province.

Vicki Billingsley, chairperson of the library board, as well as employee Kate Sewell, accepted the certificate, as well as a cheque for $2,000.

"I don't know what we're going to do with the cheque," Billingsley said. "We do have several options we're looking at."