Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 19, 2007

The following is being distributed at the request of Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador:

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
Celebrates Heritage Day and Announces Awards

Heritage Day is the third Monday of February each year. It is an opportunity to explore the past to discover what shaped our communities and our history. This morning, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) hosted representatives from the heritage community at the historic Basilica Cathedral Museum to celebrate heritage in this province. They were joined by the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

"It is important during Heritage Day to recognize the many volunteers who are protecting the cultural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. From community-operated museums and archives to the boards of crown agencies, such as the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and The Rooms, thank you to all the volunteers who work so hard and show such dedication to securing our cultural heritage," said Minister Hedderson. "Government recognizes the importance of preserving our culture and heritage. In Budget 2006, we announced $17.6 million in funding over three years to implement the province�s first cultural plan. This year alone, $760,000 was allocated to help fund heritage groups, community museums and archives and for research and development in the heritage sector."

"At HFNL, we focus on increasing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians awareness of and pride in the historic places in our communities," says George Chalker, Executive Director, HFNL. "Through the Historic Places Initiative, we've implemented activities with heritage groups, municipalities and schools across the province, as well as continued with our core programs like designation and granting."

The Heritage Day event highlighted the success of heritage initiatives in the province and recognized the winners of the Heritage Day Poster Contest. Students across the province got creative this fall as they produced their submissions for the contest. This contest was open to all schools in the province and was organized through the Historic Places Initiative (HPI) and HFNL. The winning submission is part of the foundation's poster promoting Heritage Day in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Our judges were thoroughly impressed with the quality of submissions that came in at every grade level of this competition," explained Mr. Chalker. "The Heritage Poster Contest was an opportunity for students to learn more about the historic places in their communities through research and artistic expression."

More than 125 posters were received from 20 schools. Alyssa Crane, a grade 11 student at Ascension Collegiate, Bay Roberts, submitted the overall winning poster. The judges particularly liked her use of colour and her understanding of heritage as explained in her statement which accompanied the poster. Judges for the event included Sherri Kelly, Cultural Development Assistant, City of St. John�s; Shauna McCabe, Director, Provincial Art Gallery; and Debbie O�Rielly, Assistant Registrar, HFNL. Alyssa attended the ceremony this morning and received her award from Minister Hedderson.

The winning submissions at each of the other grade levels were: first place junior high: Brittany Dillman, Holy Cross School Complex, Eastport; first place elementary: Josh Hurley, Pasadena Elementary; and first place primary: Shakira Brinson, A.R Scammel Academy, Change Islands. (Honourable mentions are listed in the backgrounder below.)

The foundation is encouraging municipalities and heritage groups to celebrate heritage in their communities during this week.

-30-

Media contacts:

Sandy Woolfrey-Fahey,
Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador
1-888-739-1892 ext. 6
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 728-7762

 

BACKGROUNDER:

The Heritage Canada Foundation organizes and promotes the third Monday of February as Heritage Day. This year�s national theme is Places for People - Our Heritage of the Everyday. More information about the national theme is available at www.heritagecanada.org.

The poster contest starts early in the school year, with poster entries received until mid-December. Students are also expected to submit a written statement about their work. Many teachers incorporate the contest into their arts and/or social studies curriculum.

2006-07 Honourable Mentions
Honorable Mention Senior High:

Ye-Jin Kang St. Kevin�s, Goulds
Marc Jenkins St. Kevin�s, Goulds
Nicole Maddox St. Kevin�s, Goulds

Honorable Mention Junior High:
Jennifer White, Canon Richards Central High School, Flower�s Cove
Bryan Rich, Mushuau Innu Natuashish School, Natuashish

Honorable Mention Elementary:
Gregory Baldwin, Humber Elementary
Kathy Hayse, Christ the King School, Rushoon

Honorable Mention Primary:
Amber Gaulton, Christ the King School, Rushoon
Alexandria Norman, Christ the King School, Rushoon
Hillary Gaulton, Christ the King School, Rushoon

2007 02 19                                                   11:40 a.m.

 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement