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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
March 3, 2010

Minister Announces Inaugural Historic Commemorations Designations

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced the first-ever designations under the newly-established Provincial Historic Commemorations Program, which recognizes and commemorates distinctive aspects of our province's history, culture and heritage.  The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, represented Minister French at a ceremony held this morning at The Rooms.

Kelly Russell, well-known fiddler and tireless promoter of Newfoundland and Labrador's traditional music, was recognized under the category of Tradition Bearer, while Dildo Island, which represents more than 2,500 years of occupation by various cultures, was commemorated as a Place of Provincial Significance.   

"This program is unique to the country," said Minister French. "In addition to recognizing persons, places and events of provincial historical significance, the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program also acknowledges our customs, practices and traditions – the intangible cultural heritage that defines us as a people and makes us who we are. Today, for the first time, we have recognized two of our province's cultural and historic treasures, and I have no doubt there will be many more commemorated in the years to come."

"This event is just the beginning for the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program," said Françoise Enguehard, Chair of the Historic Commemorations Board. "We are hoping that people from all over Newfoundland and Labrador will take a close look at their community's heritage and will nominate the people, places, events and living traditions that they value. The important thing to consider will be how these aspects of our heritage and culture demonstrate a broader provincial importance."

Administered by a board of six individuals, the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program is citizen-driven, in that residents of Newfoundland and Labrador can make nominations that they feel are provincially significant and worthy of commemoration.

Establishment of the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program was among the objectives outlined in the province's cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture (2006).

For more information about the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program, including nomination criteria, please visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/heritage/commemoration_program.html or call the Commemorations Office at 709-729-6901.

 

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Media contact:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information
 

Kelly Russell, Tradition Bearer
Born in St. John's, Kelly Russell has been a professional musician since 1974. An original member of such iconic Newfoundland and Labrador groups as Figgy Duff and The Wonderful Grand Band in the 1970s, and more recently The Plankerdown Band, he also spent 10 years working closely with the late, great fiddle masters, Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit. Recognizing a need to preserve the music of older performers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Russell founded Pigeon Inlet Productions in 1979. The label has since produced more than 30 full length recordings on LP, cassette and CD. With wife and partner Tonya Kearley, Mr. Russell also runs music and dance events in Trinity such as Dance Up and the popular dinner theatre show A Time in Pigeon Inlet in Bay Roberts. He has performed locally, nationally and internationally, bringing the unique music of Newfoundland and Labrador across Canada and around the world. Most recently, Mr. Russell performed in Vancouver, British Columbia, at BC Place on February 26 – during Newfoundland and Labrador Day at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Dildo Island, Place of Provincial Significance
Dildo Island, which represents more than 2,500 years of occupation by various early cultures, is the largest of three islands located at the entrance to Dildo Arm at the bottom of Trinity Bay. While it is uninhabited today, it is clear that people have been drawn to the island for thousands of years. Many seabirds, sea mammals, and fish – as well as many types of plant life that can be found on, and near, the Island – made it a fertile hunting ground for nomadic hunters and gatherers. To date, the archaeological record has revealed the presence of Maritime Archaic Indians, Groswater and Dorset Palaeoeskimo, as well as recent Indian and Beothuck occupations. Dildo Island has also played a role in a number of highly significant events in the province's history, including John Guy and Henry Crout's voyages from Cupids into Trinity Bay in 1612 and 1613, and Queen Anne's War (1702-1713), when 204 men from Trinity Bay spent the winter on the island defending themselves against the French attack. In the mid-19th century the fishery expanded into the bottom of Trinity Bay, and in 1889 Dildo Island became home to one of the first cod hatcheries in Canada.

2010 03 03                                                   12:00 noon
 


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