Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Oct 03/05) - If Kim Crockatt were only teaching her own kids and foster kids how to read, she would still be making a dent Nunavut's literacy rate.

Crockatt recently was awarded the Council of the Federation's literacy medallion. She was nominated by Premier Paul Okalik for her work in promoting literacy in the territory.

"It is a really big honour, being nominated by the premier. I'm just honoured that my efforts, the efforts of my staff and our boards are being recognized," said Crockatt.

The former Ottawa Valley resident has called Cambridge Bay home since 1990. After working at the library, she became the executive director of the Nunavut Literacy Council. She is also the national vice-president of the Movement for Canadian Literacy.

She and her husband Dave have adopted six children in Cambridge Bay, and have four long-term foster children in their care.

They have cared for 50 foster children since 1992, and it all started in the Cambridge Bay library.

"We got to know our eldest daughter from the library, and when her grandmother passed away, we asked social services if there was anything we could do to help," said Crockatt.

She ended up adopting the girl, and still hears from many of her former foster children today. She now has "two and a half grandchildren" with one of her daughters expecting a baby any day now.

Crockatt is in Toronto for a break, and saw the Rolling Stones perform.

It is a brief respite from her busy home and work, but she will be back in Cambridge Bay soon to receive her literacy award from the premier.

"They are organizing something for when the premier comes to open the new health centre, and that is great. Usually, those things are in Iqaluit, but now my family can attend," said Crockatt.

For Crockatt's family, that means organizers should put out extra chairs.