The Marine Detective inspires at BC literacy conference

Photo Caption: The Marine Detective joined Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society staff at the Decoda Literacy Conference in April 2024. (L-R: Trish Weatherall, Jackie Hildering, Steph Coe and Kelly Anderson). Photo courtesy of Decoda Literacy Solutions.

Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society (MWFLS) staff participated in the Decoda Literacy Conference April 17-19 in Richmond and cheered on the keynote presenter finale, Port McNeill’s Jackie Hildering, The Marine Detective, who is a cofounder of the Marine Education and Research Society.

Three MWFLS staff members attended for professional development and networking with BC’s provincial literacy nonprofit, Decoda Literacy Solutions, and more than 200 literacy practitioners from across BC and beyond. They attended workshops and learning sessions on a variety of literacy topics, and the ripple effect that literacy programs, supports and practitioners have on communities.

“One of the things I learned that will benefit the North Island is that we have access to some great free workshop materials that will help me with designing and putting on workshops,” said Steph Coe, Adult Literacy Coordinator for MWFLS. “The biggest ‘aha’ moment for me was a workshop about neuro-inclusive education and how it’s important for teachers to understand how a learner thinks because it informs on how to teach them. I am hoping to bring the presenter up to speak on the topic to educators, interested parents and adult learners.” 

Expert panel discusses ripple effect of literacy

Literacy touches every aspect of people’s lives. Literacy intersects with and contributes to our health, employment, food security, personal wellbeing, continued learning, communication, community, democracy and the economy.

To discuss these connections in depth, the conference included a BC Literacy Strategy panel discussion with:

• Canadian economist Craig Alexander,

• Attorney General Niki Sharma,

• Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey,

• University of Victoria Dean Dr. Ralf St. Clair,

• social policy researcher Shawn de Raff,

• and Health and Safety Centre for the BC Federation of Labour Executive Director Ishani Weera.

“It was incredible to learn from Canadian economist Craig Alexander that literacy affects the overall Canadian economy,” said Trish Weatherall, communications coordinator and School’s Out project coordinator for MWFLS. “Improving literacy in Canadians by just 1% can lead to a 3% increase in labour activity, which translates to between $40 and $80 billion for Canadians. He also said that increased literacy creates a healthier society and can improve community and civic engagement.”

Marine Detective connects learning to capacity for change

Wrapping up the conference on Friday, Jackie Hildering provided an inspiring presentation about human capacity for positive change. Through information about local marine species, she discussed how attitudes and actions can change for the better when knowledge replaces fear, ignorance, and disconnect.

Only a few decades ago Orca were vilified and shot, and Humpbacks were killed in industrial whaling. Now, through research and learning, their importance is understood with most people caring, not just about the species, but about individual whales. She talked not only about what leads to such positive change, but what limits it. There was emphasis on how overwhelm and fear can be countered by seeing the common solutions to socio-environmental problems.

Jackie stated, “Increasing literacy and critical thinking increases empowerment and counters inequality, poverty, and further downward forces that do not serve the wellbeing of life on earth.”

She encouraged literacy practitioners to follow their passion, acknowledge their contributions and know that they are making a difference in their communities. She wrapped up with a powerful slideshow of her underwater photography and received a standing ovation.

“Jackie showed us that everything we do has an impact and we don’t always realize the ripple effect we can have,” said Kelly Anderson, Mother Goose on the Go Coordinator and Literacy Outreach Coordinator for MWFLS. “Be brave, be courageous, and that will make the most difference.”

Jackie is, of course, a literacy supporter. She has published three “Find the Fish” books for children; arranged donations of ocean life books to all 15 schools on the North Island; and was the main event at the 2019 North Island Literacy Fairs in Port Hardy and Port McNeill. In 2021, Decoda Literacy Solutions featured an article about Jackie in its monthly newspaper for learners, The Westcoast Reader.

PUBLISHED IN NORTH ISLAND EAGLE NEWSPAPER, MAY 3, 2024

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About Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society

The Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society supports literacy and learning on North Vancouver Island through free programs for people of all ages, in partnership with local communities, schools, and organizations.