Literacy is a powerful tool to help community members better communicate, and understand one another and the world around them. In order to celebrate this the Western Quebec Literacy Council held their first literacy festival to mark International Literacy Week.

‘Get the Word Out!’ was held at Mill Dam Park on Saturday which saw six writers/poets from all over Western Quebec come talk about their craft as well as give different workshops. It was also a way to remind people about the WQLC’s services and what they offer.

“There are fantastic writers across this region, so we said let’s invite them here to come to talk about what they do. You know, just to get people excited about the written word,” said Greg Graham, executive director of the WQLC.

It’s less about being literate or illiterate but rather it’s a spectrum because there’s . . .

always something new that a person can improve on, explained Graham.

“Some people improve their literacy because they want to study something new or find a new job, but a lot of people do it so that they can book an airline ticket and go visit family, be able to write a Christmas letter, or be able to understand when information comes in from the government or from businesses to know what you’re looking at,” he said.

Working in continuing education has taught Graham that not everyone learns the same and that shouldn’t hold people back from receiving the help they need.

“If I suddenly decided I was going to run a marathon tomorrow, I need to start with the basics. I need someone to help me and I need to start practicing. Literacy can be the same way.”

During the event, Katherine Fletcher, a freelance writer and author, was asked to speak on her experience writing and about her published work. She highlighted that it was because of what her mother taught her ‘never say can’t’ that gave her the courage to self-publish.

A familiar face and a well-known historical writer from Shawville was also invited to speak. Venetia Crawford said if you can’t read, you miss out on what’s going on in the world. “I’m glad I can write and read because I like to collect all the stories. And I would lose them if I couldn’t write them all,” said Crawford.

Being the president of the archives in Shawville, she enjoys working in a space that is full of stories while also allowing her to meet folks that have a lot to share.

“Education is the secret to advancing in the world and how will we accomplish things if we can’t read and write,” she said.

As a young boy, Seymour Hamilton, another speaker and author, was fascinated with writing but throughout his career he didn’t get to do the sort of writing he wanted and so when he retired he started writing for himself.

He was born in England, brought up in Ottawa and currently lives in Chelsea. He writes nautical fantasy with post-apocalyptic themes.

“Writing for me, when life isn’t enough some people become actors, so they can be other people. I write so that I can be other people. And if I have anything important to say about literacy, it seems to me that being literate allows you to understand other people from their own point of view,” said Hamilton.

Some of the other speakers included: Jamaal Jackson Rogers, an award-winning poet educator and entrepreneur, Catherine Austine, an award-winning children’s and young adult novel writer, and Robin Blackbird McBride, author life coach and motivational speaker.

Also at the event was Lisa Boisvert, a Youth Project Coordinator who talked about some of the services Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Pontiac offer for anyone trying to get into the workforce, and talked about their latest re-branding. She explained that they are more than just a service to help with resumes.

“It’s time because we wanted them to see that we’re more than just resumes. Because they always think Carrefour and they think resumes. So that’s why we have all the stuff we do on our tent and every side is a different program that we offer,” she said.

Boisvert spoke about how they can help community members connect with employers and get the jobs they want. A volunteer that has gone through one of their programs talked about how they have helped her: “They take your aspirations or they focus on you rather than the job itself. They want to put you into a job that suits you rather than just get you an average job,” said Jamie Smith.

Another organization was Connexions Resource and Michèle Gagnon, the Community Engagement and Outreach Manager in Pontiac was their representing them and spoke on the different services they offer.

For the WQLC, some of the programs that have been revived include adult book clubs, people can sign up to be a tutor or get lessons, as well as their reading buddy program.

“We’re hoping if today’s a big success, maybe it’s something we can move around West Quebec in following years,” said Graham.

For more information on the services the WQCL offers email info@wqlc.org or visit their website.

Katherine Fletcher gave a workship on Sept. 10 at the first ever literacy festival in Shawville.

Venetia Crawford was invited to speak at the literacy festival and talk about her experience as an author and historian.

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