The battle for world literacy is too often a story of unsung heroes. That's one reason the NALD newsletter will bring to you on a regular basis a list of those individuals, programs and organizations honoured with international, national and provincial recognition for outstanding work in the global literacy initiative.

NATIONAL

The annual Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C. Literacy Public Awareness Award: This award, developed by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, honours media organizations which have shown a commitment towards the cause of literacy. 1996 Recipients: The following media organizations: Southam Inc., Maclean Hunter Publishing Limited, Mediacom Inc., Telemedia Communications Inc. and the member publishers of the Yellow Pages TM Publishers Association are the winners of the Literacy Public Awareness Award.

The Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit: This award was developed by ABC CANADA to honour journalists who have contributed significantly to the literacy cause. The award is named after broadcaster and writer Peter Gzowski, an advocate, fundraiser and champion for literacy. 1996 Recipient: Former Southam journalist Peter Calamai received the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit last November.

PROVINCIAL

ALBERTA

Literacy Awards of Merit
1996 Recipients: Sharon Szott, a student with the Chapters Program in Camrose, who excels in her own learning and has been an inspiration to other members of the program.
Peter Cutting, a volunteer tutor since 1990 with the Interchange Program at AVC in Calgary.
Jan Thiessen, who celebrated 10 years of dedication to the field of adult literacy this year. She has worked as a literacy coordinator, a classroom ABE instructor and administrator. She is also a program planner for AVC Lesser Slave Lake and is chair of the literacy subcommittee of the provincial government's Adult Development Reform Initiative.
DD Coutts, who has been the driving force behind the overwhelming success of the newly established Alberta Literacy Helpline.
The Alberta Energy Company, a large oil and gas company centered out of Calgary, which has a history of supporting literacy programs and initiatives throughout Alberta.

Lifelong Learning Award
1996 Recipient: Gary Seymour, Dean of Community Education and Program Development at Medicine Hat College.

Carl Braun Literacy Award
1996 Recipient: Deborah Martin, past President of AAAL, received the 1996 Carl Braun Literacy Award by the International Reading Association (IRA) and the Alberta Provincial Council (ARP).

MANITOBA

Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Literacy
1996 Recipient: The recipient of this year's medal is the Pembina Valley Language/Education for Adults (PVLEA), a community-based, learner-centred program in south-central Manitoba. The program is organized by an inter-agency group with broad representation from the community.

NEW BRUNSWICK

New Brunswick Premier's Youth Initiative Awards
1996 Recipients: Jeffrey Sparks, a disabled youth from Saint John, and Écoversité, a student group from the Université de Moncton, are the recipients of the 7th annual Premier's Youth Initiative Awards.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Association for Adult Education (NLAAE) Awards:
The Shirley Hickey Literacy Achievement Award
1996 Recipient: Ed Oldford for his work in the central eastern region.

The Jack Courage Community Education Achievement Award 1996 Recipient:
Mark Nui from Davis Inlet for his work in the drug and alcohol abuse program.

The Don Snowden Community Development Achievement Award
1996 Recipient: The Communities for Survival Project.

Innovative Programme Award
1996 Recipient: Human Resources Development Canada for the "Improving Our Odds" program.

QUEBEC

Literacy Partners of Quebec Literacy Award
1996 Recipient: Lorna Yates, now studying law at Queens University, was coordinator of McGill Students for Literacy and stood out for her energy, commitment and passion for promoting literacy in Montreal.

Mary Isobel Mackey Award
1996 Recipient: Lorna Yates of McGill University, who was instrumental in helping to organize the McGill Students for Literacy over the past four years. She's currently studying law at Queen's University and is involved as a tutor in the Frontier College Students for Literacy Program at that university.

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan Literacy Awards of Merit:Learner Awards, sponsored by Cameco Corporation
1996 Recipients: Kory Regan / Kim Bell

Professional Award
1996 Recipient: Nayda Veeman

Volunteer Award
1996 Recipient: Wayne Kuss

Program Award
1996 Recipient: Tutor Training Manual - Regina Public library

Association Award
1996 Recipient: Saskatoon Literacy Coalition