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, 2006

Leslie Ion

Volunteer, Literacy Council of Brantford and District

Brantford, Ontario

The Province of Ontario is pleased to announce that Leslie Ion of Brantford, Ontario has been selected as the 2006 recipient of Ontario's Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

Leslie Ion began volunteering with the Literacy Council of Brantford and District in 1996 and reached a milestone of 1000 hours in 2004. Her volunteer involvement has covered a broad range of activities, including tutoring learners, fundraising, community outreach and serving on the literacy council's board of directors.

Ms. Ion was the fundraising chair of the "Loonies for Literacy" campaign for three years. She is currently an active member of the organization's "Corporate Spelling Bee for Literacy" fundraising campaign.

Ms. Ion is an energetic promoter of literacy. She is well informed on literacy issues, and goes out of her way to pass on her knowledge to other program participants and members of the community. She participates in community outreach activities at mall displays and volunteer fairs. Her dedication to and passion for literacy is exceptional.

Ontario's Selection Committee

Ms. Ion was chosen by a selection committee consisting of people involved in literacy programs across Ontario. The Province of Ontario would like to acknowledge and recognize our panel of judges:

  • Rita Buffalo was the recipient of the 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.
  • Vicki Trottier has worked in Ontario literacy since 1988, and her activities have ranged from tutoring learners to serving as the executive director of the Literacy Council of South Temiskaming. Ms. Trottier has served on boards and committees at the local, regional and provincial levels. She has also been part of special interest groups including rural literacy, small group literacy and family literacy. Ms. Trottier is the author of literacy publications, including Together We Can Do It: The Role of Volunteers in the Assessment Process.
  • Raymond Day – 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.