Patrick Woodcock has been awarded the Council of the Federation Literacy Award for his work within Nunavut’s justice system on behalf of United for Literacy, formerly Frontier College.
“This award couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Woodcock. “I just wanted to shine a light on the program. I know we’re having a positive impact, and I want that to continue.”
He's referring to his efforts over the past two years to develop a formal literacy program within the framework of United for Literacy for the justice system of Nunavut’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, which sees the author teaching inmates one-on-one at the Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility, the Nunavut Women's Correctional Centre, the Uttaquvik Community Residential Centre as well as probation and legal aid. Together, these commitments make up a seven-day work week for the 'Farhang Book One' author, among myriad other titles.
Woodcock described United for Literacy as “very supportive [with] a track record I respect.” He also points to monthly audits, and says the organization’s emphasis on accountability is both helpful and positive for maintaining standards.
“I won’t work for anybody with a political or religious agenda," he said. "I just want to help the person in any way they want and show them the potential they maybe didn’t know they had... I work out in the community. I’ve gotten to know them, and I’ve built up trust with them.
Woodcock doesn’t stop at teaching basic literacy skills. He tailors his tutorial sessions to the needs and desires of his clients and goes outside the classroom to ensure that former prisoners are supported in their efforts to reintegrate successfully in society, whether that’s providing letters of reference, helping with housing applications or setting up parolees with bank accounts and jobs to ease the transition. Once released, they can also continue to study with him in Iqaluit or from the home communities.
“I want to reach every community in every corner of Nunavut... focusing specifically on the justice system and making sure people don’t feel abandoned or get lost when they move from one thing to the next... I want to get [the program] as close to permanent as possible... I don’t want something that ends when I leave."
About being bestowed with the Council of the Federation Literacy Award, Woodcock said, “I was really happy to receive that, because I was literally discussing the [program’s] future, the funding, how I wanted it to work, all the avenues I could go when I got the message... I want to stay involved in it, and then just bring in people once funding has arrived to build it up.”
He lived in the NWT before relocating to Nunavut.
“I explore the community,” he says of Iqaluit. “I walk everywhere... I’ve never had an issue with a client once... the clients need to know they are supported unconditionally when they get out... Obviously, there’s difficulties, and there’s struggles, but the successes far outweigh the difficulties.”
United for Literacy has historically worked with many Indigenous communities, with an emphasis from 2005 on reconciliation and change, “learning from our shared history... we progressively started to hire and train members of the communities we partner with. This ensures that the local culture, language and traditions are the heart of all educational activities.”
