Fundraising to support lifelong literacy on Haida Gwaii
The PGI Invitational for Literacy
The PGI Invitational for Literacy was founded by the late renowned CBC radio host, author and broadcaster Peter Gzowski to raise funds for literacy. Since 2013, the Haida Gwaii PGI has been our annual fundraiser for island literacy initiatives. All the money we raise stays on Haida Gwaii to address literacy programs for islanders.
The first Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournament for Literacy took place in 1986 with a commitment from the former broadcaster to someday raise $1 million across Canada for literacy programs. Today, with one PGI in every province and territory, generous supporters have raised more than $13.5 million! Join us TODAY together with thousands of Canadians who wish to make a difference in the lives of the 56 percent of Canadians who struggle with reading, writing and numeracy. The economic implication of this social capital affects us all!
On May 29, 2022 we hosted our 10th annual fundraiser. This year’s theme was Back Together Again, and it was great to have the community come together in-person to celebrate literacy.
In 2013, we welcomed Honorary Chair of PGI Canada/CBC radio host Shelagh Rogers (The Next Chapter) to Haida Gwaii.
In 2013, Poet Laureate Susan Musgrave joined the PGI event, helping us raise over $18,000.
In 2013, Harmonica Virtuoso performed at the PGI event.
In 2013, Pansy Snow White won the Learner Achievement Award.
Haida storyteller Kung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) joined us in 2013, supporting us to raise $18,000 for literacy programs on Haida Gwaii.
In 2014, our second fundraiser for supporting literacy programs on Haida Gwaii raised $25,000! Our celebrities that year included Honorary Chair of PGI Canada/CBC radio host Shelagh Rogers (The Next Chapter), harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens as well as internationally renowned Haida carvers Robert Davidson, Reg Davidson and Ben Davidson (pictured here).
Some of our 2014 Learners.
“The PGIs bring together so much that matters to me: friends, laughter, poetry, music – all playing to make a better world. Thanks to the thousands of golfers, corporate sponsors and hard-working volunteers, the PGIs have become a network that stretches from sea to sea to sea. We’ve raised millions of dollars to help people to learn and read and write or just make their lives a little better. And we are going to keep on doing it.”
“Across this vast country the PGIs have become a ribbon of hope that links a network of unsung heroes – volunteer literacy tutors. Their work is instrumental to the effort by adults who struggle with reading and writing. It is a noble cause indeed, and I applaud and support each and every learner and tutor.”
“In my association with the PGIs, I have come to understand some of the many reasons why a person has low literacy skills – including learning challenges that undermined self-confidence, difficult childhood circumstances or perhaps economic pressures that short-circuited educational opportunities. Every adult learner I have met expresses so much gratitude to their tutor for imparting the gift of literacy. By participating in a PGI event, you are helping to deliver that gift.”