I am proud to be a recipient of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award for this year, announced today on September 8, on the occasion of International Literacy Day:
Premier P.J. Akeeagok is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2022 Council of the Federation Literacy Award is Jeela Palluq-Cloutier.
This award recognizes Jeela Palluq-Cloutier’s tireless work towards revitalizing and strengthening Inuktut languages for many years. Most recently, she has made invaluable contributions to strengthening Inuktut languages though technology by translating over 11,000 words to enable Facebook to be accessible in Inuktitut. She has also worked on validating Inuktut language models which allow Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun to be used in the Microsoft Translator.
“Jeela Palluq-Cloutier is a teacher, author, role model and mentor with a lifelong passion for language, teaching and ensuring the highest standards for Inuktut, the Inuit language spoken throughout Canadian Arctic communities. Jeela has taught Inuktut to individuals of all ages. She is a celebrated author with four books under her name. As a mature student, Jeela returned to school to complete a master’s degree focussed on the history of writing systems and the views of Nunavut educators on the standardization of Inuktut. She supports digital Inuktut resources to close the communication divide that many unilingual Nunavummiut experience. Jeela has contributed to Inuit online engagement by translating over 11,000 Inuktitut words to social media. Jeela’s incredible contributions to Inuktut languages improve the quality of life throughout Nunavut communities and beyond.”
Government of Nunavut’s PSA: 2022 COF Literacy Award Winner Announced
What is the Council of the Federation Literacy Award?
The Council of the Federation Literacy Award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy. The awards are presented annually, in each province and territory, to recognize the excellence of educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations and businesses in many areas, including family, Indigenous, health, workplace and community literacy.
Canada’s provinces and territories are repositories of innovative principles, practices and programs that reflect the very highest ideals in literacy best practices, and serve the varying needs of many different types of learners.
Qiliqti Inuktut 