Executive Council
November 25, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs:

Labrador’s Youth Take the Stage for Creative Arts Festival

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 39th Annual Labrador Creative Arts Festival. Taking center stage at the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre from November 19 to 25, the festival is a celebration of the arts that brings together young Labradorians from all regions and cultures.

Inclusive and innovative, this event showcases plays written and performed by Labrador students. The festival also features visiting artists, from many different disciplines, who venture to the Big Land every year to share their talents and to pass on their creative knowledge to the youth through workshops and hands-on training.

Students visiting from Villa Nova Junior High in Conception Bay South are also participating in this year’s event.

Aside from helping young people develop their artistic abilities, the Labrador Creative Arts Festival fosters creativity, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership. Mr. Speaker, these characteristics serve as a foundation upon which young men and women can build future achievements and become leaders in their communities, future fields of study and careers.

A shining example of how the festival helps develop our young people is Ms. McKenzie Hutchings of North West River who has been a regular participant in the Labrador Creative Arts Festival. Recently, Ms. Hutchings was crowned Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador and credits her involvement in the festival with giving her the confidence and experience to participate in the pageant and to succeed in her many other endeavours.

As a proud Labradorian, it is always a pleasure for me to highlight Labrador and the accomplishments and visions of its people, especially its young people. Staging the Labrador Creative Arts Festival each year is a massive undertaking and it is because of the students, teachers, parents, and organizers involved that this annual event is possible. This festival is a wonderful celebration of young people and the arts and, as this year’s festival draws to a close, I ask all Honourable Members to join me in congratulating McKenzie Hutchings and all of this year’s participants.

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2014 11 25                                            1:55 p.m.