Allen Claude Janvier
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Program: Adult Basic Education Education: Dumont Technical Institute |
“I worked for about forty years in the Cluff Lake and Rabbit Lake Mines. When I was laid off in 2016, I was sixty years old. After that I had nothing to do, and that is why I am in school.”
Dumont Technical Institute Student
DTI La Loche Level 2 learner, Allen Claude Janvier, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Cameco Literacy Learner Award and Bursary at the Saskatchewan Literacy Network’s 2024 Saskatchewan Literacy Awards of Merit held at Government House in Regina on May 14. Attendees were welcomed by His Honour The Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and the awards were presented by Donna Woloshyn of the Saskatchewan Literacy Board of Directors.
Allen is a 67-year-young single parent with four children. Losing his spouse in September 1997, Allen helped raise his children by working in the mines. After he was laid off, Allen then stayed home with his grandchildren to help take care of them. Once all of his grandchildren had entered school, Allen decided to enroll at Dumont Technical Institute in La Loche to learn how to read and write.
As Allen said last fall, “I worked for about forty years in the Cluff Lake and Rabbit Lake Mines. When I was laid off in 2016, I was sixty years old. After that I had nothing to do, and that is why I am in school. There are things I don’t understand, and I can’t read or write much.” Since beginning just this past fall, Allen has already improved immensely in his communication and math skills, and he will be in Level 3 this fall.
With his dedication and desire to learn, his instructors are confident he will complete his Level 4 adult grade 12. Allan is often seen helping other learners in class, uplifting others in the community, and sharing his knowledge of Dene language and culture. In attendance at the ceremony in Regina, Allen’s teacher, DTI veteran instructor, Ernestine McNeil, commented, “It is a pleasure to have Allen in my class. My younger students see him as a role model who wants to learn new things.”
Not one to speak unnecessarily, Allen quietly leads by example, demonstrating the profound impact that embracing education can have at any stage of life. DTI La Loche staff, and Allen’s fellow classmates extend their congratulations to Allen on his meritorious achievement.
