Carol Elanik, adult learner with FASD, wins N.W.T. literacy award
Award recognizes adult learner who has overcome obstacles
A woman from Aklavik, N.W.T., with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder received a literacy award Tuesday in Yellowknife for being a "role model and support for other learners in her community."
The N.W.T. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment presented Carol Elanik with an award that recognizes an adult learner who's overcome obstacles in the pursuit of literacy.
Elanik lives in Aklavik and attends classes at Aurora College, "just to learn how to read and write letters [and] math," she says.
The executive director of the NWT Literacy Council, Kathryn Barry Paddock, introduced Elanik as a "passionate advocate and supporter of learning and literacy" at the awards ceremony, which recognized three people from the Northwest Territories.
Paddock said Elanik is "known as a community ambassador who welcomes people to Aklavik with warmth and enthusiasm."
Elanik is also an avid drum dancer who shares the stories behind the songs with everyone.
"She uses her literacy skills daily by keeping her Facebook page on community events up to date, reading announcements on the local radio station, and by reading with children and youth," Paddock said.
Elanik calls the award "awesome" and "amazing."
Catarina Owen also received a literacy award for volunteering her time to help expand the library in Norman Wells and Yellowknife's Caroline Roux received an educator award for exceptional dedication to improving the literacy of her students.