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LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS - Last week Sylvia Clement of Norman Wells won the Council of the Federation Literacy Award, an honour given to just one NWT resident every year.

Sylvia Clement, centre, sits with her niece Zenaid, left, and her daughter Rihanna, right. Clement decided to go back to school two years ago so she could be a role model for her daughter and younger brother. They currently live in Norman Wells with her partner. - photo courtesy of Sylvia Clement

For Clement, all the attention was a little unnerving.

'I'm not really sure what to think of it,'" she said.

"Getting phone calls out of the blue and not knowing what's going on, it's kind of shocking a little bit."

According to the council, as well as Premier Floyd Roland and Jackson Lafferty, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the honour was well-deserved.

"Ms. Clement demonstrates tremendous commitment to education and her success enriches us all," Lafferty wrote in a press release announcing the award.

"Sylvia is an inspiring role model to others in her dual roles of parent and student, and handles these two responsibilities with tremendous enthusiasm," Roland added.

Clement, a 29-year-old mother originally from Tulita, said she hopes what people take away from her story and struggles is the importance of education, literacy and perseverance.

"I went to work too young thinking, 'Okay. I'll work and I don't need school, right?' But then I had my daughter and, like, my whole world changed," she said.

After dropping out of school in Grade 9, Clement went to work for camps in the bush, but always struggled to find good work.

When she had her daughter Rihanna five years ago, she resolved to find a better career. A year later when her brother Qualin, then 10 years old, moved in with her, she said acting as a positive role model for both of them was top of mind.

Two years ago she began studying at Aurora College's Learning Centre in Norman Wells and hopes to receive her Grade 12 equivalent next year.

In the meantime, she said she will continue to volunteer at the family literacy program in Norman Wells where, for the past seven months, she's been helping with art and reading activities for youth.

Her next goal: move to Grande Prairie, Alta., to study child development and then get a teaching degree.

"I'm so grateful for where I am now, because now I can show my daughter," she said.

"I respect my family and everything, but I never had that. It was always work, clean, work, clean and never reading or 'School's so important.' But it's so important."

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