YELLOWKNIFE (July 24, 2012) – The Council of the Federation (CoF), in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories, announced Karra Dillon as the NWT recipient of the 2012 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Presented annually to one individual from each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories, the award celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy.

“Literacy skills are a major factor in our ability to participate as full and active citizens in all areas of society,” said Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. “Ms. Dillon has displayed great tenacity in her pursuit of education, and her commitment to her language and culture enriches us all.”

“I am proud to recognize NWT role models like Ms. Dillon,” said Premier Bob McLeod. “People throughout our territory can look to her as an example of what they can accomplish personally and in their communities. I wish her well in her studies and am sure she will continue to be a mentor for young people as a teacher.”

Living in her home town of Tuktoyaktuk, Ms. Dillon is a young Inuvialuit woman who left school at an early age to start a family. In 2010, she enrolled in the Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program at Aurora College in Inuvik. Ms. Dillon began the program as an emerging speaker and worked hard to become very skilled and fluent in Siglitun Inuvialuktun. Her love of her language and culture is also expressed through traditional drum dancing. Ms. Dillon plans to pursue additional upgrading toward her new goal of entering the Bachelor of Education Program.

Created in 2004 by the Premiers of Canada, the award recognizes the valuable contributions made by Canadians across the entire spectrum of literacy, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace and community literacy. In the NWT, the award is customarily given to an adult learner who has overcome obstacles, demonstrated outstanding progress in the pursuit of literacy skills in any of the NWT’s official languages, helped others to improve their literacy levels, and was enrolled in classes within the past 18 months.

Ms. Dillon will receive a certificate signed by the Premier and a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion at a presentation during NWT Literacy Week, September 24 to 30, 2012.

For more information, please contact:

Ashley Green
Public Affairs Officer
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-3059
Email: ashley_green@gov.nt.ca