Learners in Action is a publication of the
Movement for
Canadian Literacy's

Movement for Canadian Literacy, 180 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1P5 * Tel: (613) 563-2464 * Fax: (613) 563-2504

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Learners Advisory Network Meetings

by Gordon A. DeWolfe LAN Chair

The Learners Advisory Network held their meetings in Ottawa this March. Although we were all exhausted by the end of the meetings, we came up with some great ideas on how best to address literacy and learner issues.

Our meetings began with LAN elections. I was honored to be acclaimed LAN Chair. Wendy Koivisto was elected Vice Chair, Janet MacLeod is the Learner Board Member and Abe Friesen is Learner Spokesperson.

The Network members participated in work-shops along with their Coalition representatives to become more effective in their advocacy work. The workshop information will help us all in keeping literacy on the agendas of policy makers and government officials.

The Network had to say their good-byes to a few MCL Provincial Learner Representatives at the meetings. Those leaving have been involved with the Network for a number of years and they have been pioneers in the field of learner involvement. Dorothy Silver (New Brunswick Rep and MCL Learner Spokesperson), Lynda Magerl (Saskatchewan) and Gordon Christiansen (Alberta) have contributed greatly to the cause of literacy.

The work they have done has benefited learners across the country. We will miss them. Good luck to you (Dorothy, Lynda and Gordon) in your future work.

The Network was very pleased to welcome Susan Papatsie, the first Learner Rep from the new territory of Nunavut, and Pennyann Tibbitts from Ontario. Leonard Duby, a new Learner Representative from Alberta is also joining the Network.

I look forward to working with all of you in our continuing literacy work. I am confident that you will all be great contributors to the Network.

I am proud to be a part of the Network and to work with a group of learners who are as passionate about literacy as I am. I feel that the Network team is a strong one and I look forward to the great work I know we will be doing in the future on behalf on Canadian learners.

Front row, left to right: Dorothy Silver, Janet MacLeod, Susan Papatsie, Joy Coldwell and Arlene MacLowick (LAN Communications Officer) Second row: Gordon Christiansen, Wendy Koivisto, Lynda Magerl, Gordon DeWolfe and Lisa Parsons (Provincial Learner Networks Project Officer) Top row: Pennyann Tibbitts, Pat Hardisty, Cecil Godwin and Abe Friesen