In the early ’80s, IODE members knew that Labrador students graduating from coastal high schools had the same dreams as all young people and were ideally suited to participate in the growth of their province. It was clear that as Labrador and Newfoundland developed there would be a need for skilled and professional people in oil development, medicine and social services.

Over 200 Labrador high school students have gone on to study at colleges and university thanks to an IODE initiative that began over 30 years ago. The IODE Labrador Bursary program has helped coastal students become hairdressers, doctors, airplane mechanics, engineers and teachers to name a few.

Recently the Labrador Bursary Committee has been obliged to make adjustments in respect to the number and amounts of bursaries granted as fewer donations to this capital fund are being received and interest rates are low. In order to continue to respond for the requests from students for assistance with their education, growth of the capital in the Labrador Bursary Fund is vital.

Consequently, IODE Canada has implemented a fund-raising campaign in honour of the 30th Anniversary of the Labrador Bursary Program with a goal to raise $30,000. We are asking chapters and/or individual members to please contribute to this worthwhile fund in order for IODE to continue to respond to requests. By doing so, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of students in Labrador and encourage these students to bring their dreams to life.

For more information, please contact Chris Bateman, Chairman of the Labrador Bursary Program, at iodecanada@bellnet.ca or call 416-487-4416. 

In 2013, IODE Canada will award the IODE 100th Anniversary Grant valued at $25,000 to an agency or individual developing programs or research to prevent and alleviate child abuse and neglect.

This will be the 7th grant awarded. The 100th Anniversary Grant program was created in June 2000 to celebrate IODE’s 100th Anniversary. Funds to create this program were raised by IODE members across Canada as a gift to benefit Canada’s children.

Winners to date have been agencies introducing new, innovative programs. The programs have been impressive. They include: the mentorship of first-time adolescent mothers at risk of isolation; teaching primary school age children about safe and caring relationships; assistance for families with behavioural challenging children; head-start programs specifically for children in high risk situations in need of stimulating, enriching experiences vital to their healthy growth; education and drop in centres to assist parents and family of LGBTQ.

Once again, the application for the grant, now being circulated, will be accepted from 01 September until 31 October 2012. The winner will be announced on IODE Founders Day in February 2013. The application is available on the IODE website at www.iode.ca or via email at iodecanada@bellnet.ca.

Proudly, IODE continues to protect and encourage children so that every child may reach their potential.

IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs.


Sandra Smith
Public Relations Officer 

Janet McNaughton, author of The Dragon Seer's Gift, wins IODE Violet Downey Book Award for the second time! The $3,000 prize was announced at the time of 112th National Annual Meeting of IODE Canada on 26 May 2012. This is the 28th year that the award has been made available to Canadian authors.

The story for this award-winning children’s book, published by Harper Collins Canada, is set in Janet McNaughton’s home province of Newfoundland using the streets and buildings of current St. John’s.

“Gwyn Rae isn’t adjusting to grade seven. Bullied at school and failing in most subjects, he reluctantly agrees to undertake a Heritage Fair project to boost his grade in history. His older sister Maddie joins him, and together they begin to sift through the papers of their ancestor, the Reverend Daniel Rae, who came to Newfoundland from Scotland in the late 1880s. Talented and eccentric, he died in a shipwreck ten years later.

As Daniel’s papers draw Gwyn and Maddie in, strange things start to happen. A mysterious key that once belonged to Daniel buzzes when they touch it and parts of Daniel’s notebooks appear to be invisible to others. On a day when the city of St. John’s is closed by a winter storm, Gwyn and Maddie set out to investigate The Kirk, the downtown church where Daniel Rae was once a minister. There, the door that the key unlocks, launches Gwyn and Maddie on the adventure of their lives. A hidden world of dragons is suddenly revealed to them and a promise once made by a gifted young magician, their ancient ancestor, demands their help.”

The Dragon Seer’s Gift is a story that both boys and girls will enjoy, as they become excited about “H”, who only Gwyn and Maddie can see.

IODE Canada is Canada’s premier women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs. For a list of past winners or for more information about IODE, please visit www.iode.ca or contact Linda Dennis, Chair of the IODE Violet Downey Book Award Committee, at 416-487-4416 or iodeadmin@bellnet.ca.


Submitted by:
Sandra Smith
Public Relations Officer IODE Canada
Ph: 416-487-4416 1-866-827-7428
Fax: 416-487-4417 iodecanada@bellnet.ca 

IODE Canada was honoured to present The National Chapter of Canada IODE RCMP Community Relations award to Corporal Giovanna Taddeo of Nunavik in recognition of exemplary community service outside official duties. Accompanying framed award certificates for the recipient and the detachment office, was an IODE gift of $1,000 for her to use to further community service presented by RCMP Commissioner Rob Paulson.

In 2001, Corporal Taddeo made the decision to move to Kuujjuaq, QC as an officer for the Kativik Regional Police Force (KRPF). She lived and worked in Kuujjuaq for five years building a strong, professional connection and earning respect with the Inuit community. After patrolling the streets at night and observing youth loitering with nothing productive to do and some causing trouble, she decided to take action. As a certified black belt instructor, Giovanna offered the youth the chance to learn martial arts. As a positive, inspiring and dedicated role model, she taught up to 15 youth at a time in her living room in her off duty hours.

In 2005, Giovanna left Kuujjuaq to join the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit as a First Nation Police Officer and subsequently, in 2007, she joined the ranks of the RCMP as a regular member. Giovanna left in Kuujjuaq five of her top, mature and responsible students, all having received the rank of Black Belt, to continue teaching the Karate program, which continued to 2009 running smoothly and successfully until the last student left to pursue further education.

The subsequent development of the S.M.A.R.T program (Sustainable Martial Arts Recreational Training) by Giovanna, and designed to work with young adults of the communities of Nunavik was funded and supported by the Kativik Regional Government. Training sessions, both in the north and in Montreal, teach young leaders regular basic martial arts techniques, as well as techniques of theoretical teaching. The goal is to create and support positive teaching role models for their communities.

Giovanna Taddeo is the creator, chief instructor and coordinator of the program, organizing training, working with the Inuit leaders and maintaining relations within the north. Her vision and creative work with the S.M.AR.T program, done on both off duty and vacation time, is a successful tribute to Giovanna’s leadership with the youth of the communities she serves making a difference to their lives and future. Visit: www.smartkentokukan.com

IODE Canada is proud to acknowledge Corporal Taddeo’s dedication to the youth of her communities with this annual award. For a list of past winners or for more information about IODE, please contact Sheila DeJaegher, Citizenship Officer at 416-487-4416 or visit www.iode.ca.

IODE Canada is celebrating it’s 112th year as Canada’s premier women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs.


Submitted by:
Sandra Smith
Public Relations Officer IODE Canada
Ph: 416-487-4416 1-866-827-7428
Fax: 416-487-4417 iodecanada@bellnet.ca