Melissa Flett

Melissa Flett

Age: 36

Melissa Flett is a lover of literacy, wife to her high school sweetheart, mom to three children, and happy to be surrounded by extended family.

Flett’s Fort McMurray tale began after her birth in Newfoundland when her parents decided to move to the city to take advantage of new career opportunities.

“I was lucky to be able to grow up in Fort McMurray, surrounded by lots of extended family and friends,” she said.

When Flett was attending Keyano College, she started a part-time position at the Wood Buffalo Regional Library (WBRL) in 2003.

“It didn’t take me long to realize that the library was where I wanted to work for a very long time,” Flett explained. “I don’t think any of my friends from school would be surprised to know that I love working in the library. Reading has always been my favourite past time.”

Sixteen years later, Flett is still working in the place she loves as the Director for the WBRL. She enjoys promoting literacy and believes it’s “a human right and so important to everyday life.

That includes financial or digital literacy. Being able to do the basic things like reading, or using an email account is something most of us take for granted.”

As for living in Fort McMurray for her entire life, Flett takes advantage of her backyard and stays close to her work establishment.

“I love spending time outdoors in the morning. This includes grabbing a coffee and taking the kids to one of the fantastic outdoor trails like the Aboriginal Interpretive Trail at MacDonald Island Park or the Snye Rope Park,” she said.

“We spend a lot of time at MacDonald Island Park, so when it’s cold, I take the kids to the rock wall or swimming or grab some books from the library and read the afternoon away. One of my absolute favourite things to do is having a big family get together with lots of homemade food.”