Ministerial Literacy Awards

The Ministerial Literacy Awards are given to people and organizations that are literacy leaders in the NWT. It is important to recognize the valuable contributions that people and organizations make to literacy in the NWT. These awards are given out by the Government of NWT, Department of Education, Culture and Employment. This year two Literacy Practitioners were presented with the award.

Literacy Practitioner Award - Margaret Field, Fort Providence

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment,
Charles Dent, presents Margaret with her award at the awards ceremony.

Margaret Field was born and raised in Fort Providence, where she has served as the Community Adult Educator for the past 10 years. Margaret became the Fort Providence adult educator after teaching elementary school for 14 years because she wanted to be a role model for adults going back to school. Margaret is one of only four Dene adult educators in the NWT.

Margaret has been very innovative in integrating academic instruction and cultural education. She teaches South Slavey classes, takes her students to her cabin for traditional on-the-land instruction, invites elders into her learning centre to teach traditional skills and encourages her adult learners to volunteer at community feasts and other local gatherings. Margaret has also introduced a job shadowing program for adult learners in Fort Providence.

At the same time, Margaret delivers an academic program, which enables her adult learners to move into gainful employment and college and trades programs. Many of Margaret’s former students are working in Fort Providence at the Aboriginal Head Start program, band office, friendship centre and drug and alcohol program. Other students have gone on to the Aurora College Teacher Education Program, the Natural Resources Technology Program and various trades.

Margaret also volunteers her time to plan and deliver evening family literacy events. She initiated a reading buddy program for grade 1 students in Fort Providence. Margaret has served on the NWT Literacy Council board, and she is involved with the local District Education Authority. Margaret is an extraordinary adult educator, who always has a kind word for people around her and patience to help struggling learners. Margaret has been promoting literacy in various ways in the NWT for the past 24 years.