Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council receives top honour for Good Learning Anywhere program

Tim Brody - Editor

The Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council has received ABC Life Literacy Canada’s (ABC) 2023 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award (LIA). The annual award, presented by ABC, recognizes organizations that develop and implement innovative adult literacy skills programs in communities across Canada.
The Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council was recognized for its “Good Learning Anywhere” program, receiving 
$20,000. 
Linda Wright, Director of Distance Projects for Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council, explained that the Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council has existed for over 30 years in Sioux Lookout and has been running its Good Learning Anywhere program for over 20 years. For a year now, Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council been running a Good Learning Anywhere (Corrections) project, which is what the award is recognizing.
ABC Life Literacy Canada summed up the project, “The Good Learning Anywhere (GLA) program offers digital literacy skills to inmates incarcerated in Federal Institutions in Ontario, with a pilot expansion in the Atlantic region. The program was developed in partnership with Correctional Services Canada (ON) and has 29 self-directed online courses on a wide range of topics and includes topics specific for Indigenous learners. GLA encourages self-directed learning, allowing learners to choose which courses they would like to take. With the support of their onsite instructors, the learners complete their courses independently with courses ranging from 10 to 25 hours. By providing learners with access to flexible literacy programs, GLA equips them with the necessary skills for the modern job market. In addition, the program helps the learners develop essential life skills, such as renewing government identification, navigating medical appointments, and filling out rental applications.”
Wright shared, “This incredible recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering literacy and innovation in Ontario. We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without the collaboration with the education staff at Corrections Services Canada (Ontario), the dedication of our amazing team and the support of our Sioux Lookout board members and ministry reps.”
Wright said the $20,000 which comes with the award will be, “Invested into the program so we can continue to work with our partners in corrections as they work to expand digital learning to Federal Corrections facilities across Canada”
Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council will be presented with the award in October during a virtual event. 
“We continue to be impressed with the caliber of adult literacy programming presented in communities across Canada and are delighted to honour this year’s innovators and share best practices,” said Alison Howard, Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “We are grateful for Canada Life’s ongoing support of this award, which helps build connections and increase capacity in the literacy and learning community.”
“At Canada Life, we believe education has the power to inspire and make meaningful change in our society,” stated Doug Tkach, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Operations and Workplace Strategies. “That’s why we proudly support ABC Life Literacy Canada and the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award. Education programs that focus on adult literacy, provide learners with the essential skills they can use to improve their well-being and succeed in life.”