Council of the Federation Literacy Award


The Council of the Federation  The Council of the Federation Literacy Award

Ontario's Winner of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award, 2007

Michelle Eady

Literacy Innovator, Sioux Hudson Literacy Council

Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

The Province of Ontario is pleased to announce that Michelle Eady of Sioux Lookout has been selected as the 2007 recipient of Ontario's Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

Having taught for 10 years at the elementary and college levels, Mrs. Eady switched her focus to adult literacy and joined the Sioux Hudson Literacy Council as a literacy and basic skills instructor in 2002. The following year she became the council’s distance projects coordinator and took the lead in a pilot project to reach adult learners in remote communities in Northwestern Ontario. Since then she has worked tirelessly to ensure that all learners trying to further their education, training or independence have the chance to do so, regardless of their geographical location.

Mrs. Eady is a leader in the use of technology for improving adult literacy education in Ontario. She organized the creation of a website featuring innovative programming that supports Aboriginal learners living in remote areas. She also developed a number of distance learning courses. She has travelled to many of the communities where her learners live, providing in-person support and delivering classes to hundreds of people.

Michelle Eady is passionate about reaching learners and helping them achieve their goals. No matter where people are or how great their challenges, Michelle Eady finds a way to bring literacy to them.

Ontario's Selection Committee

Mrs. Eady was chosen by a selection committee consisting of people involved in literacy programs across Ontario. The Province of Ontario would like to acknowledge the work of its panel of judges:

  • Leslie Ion was the recipient of Ontario’s 2006 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. She became a certified tutor in 1996 and has been an active tutor with the Literacy Council of Brantford and District ever since. Ms. Ion served on the council board of directors for nine years, and has been elected to the slate of officers for 2007-2008. She is involved in many aspects of the organization, including advocacy, fundraising and community outreach.
  • Rita Buffalo was the recipient of Ontario’s 2005 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. At one time a literacy learner herself, Ms. Buffalo qualified for college admission and graduated the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Diploma Program at Confederation College with honours in 2002. Today Ms. Buffalo works out of the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre as a literacy coordinator for the Anishnawbe Skills Development Program, the same program that helped her improve her literacy skills.
  • Raymond Day is the executive assistant to the assistant deputy minister, French-Language Education and Educational Operations Division, Ministry of Education. Mr. Day served as the literacy coordinator in the ministry’s literacy and basic skills unit for eight years, advising the ministry on literacy and adult education issues.