Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Education and Early Childhood Development
March 24, 2016
Commemorating Our First World War Story
Honouring Those Who Served through Reflective School Programs
Today the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador officially launched the Ambassador Award Program and a series of curriculum-based enhancements concentrating on Newfoundland and Labrador�s First World War story. The joint projects were developed by the Honour 100 Commemorations program and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
�By identifying and honouring the men and women who fought for peace and freedom in Europe and at home, and by celebrating their legacies, we keep their memories and the weight of their sacrifice alive. When this program was piloted last year, 19 students joined the Royal Canadian Legion�s annual Trail of the Caribou pilgrimage which travels throughout France and Belgium. Nineteen students will be selected again this year to take part in this life-changing experience. We are especially pleased that General Rick Hillier has agreed to be the Honorary Ambassador for the program and will travel with the students.�
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Developed in partnership with the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Ambassador Award Program is delivered through the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Fairs, which have been expanded from junior high to also include high school. Additional information on the program and curriculum enhancements can be found in the backgrounder below.
"The Royal Newfoundland Regiment�s contribution to the First World War is an important part of our history and it is something that is ingrained in the memory of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians everywhere. Through the Ambassador Award Program and the curriculum resource enhancements under We Remember: Honouring Those Who Served, we are connecting students with our past, and with a sense of pride, keeping the Royal Newfoundland Regiment�s memory alive for future generations."
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
We Remember: Honouring Those Who Served allows students to explore the lives of soldiers by researching their military service files. General Rick Hillier will travel with the students and attend all events with the delegation.
"I'm privileged and delighted to be a part of the Ambassador program for Honour 100, to participate in commemorating the tremendous sacrifice of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during the Great War, and to help ensure that the next generation will also commemorate, remember and appreciate what their forefathers did for them."
- General Rick Hillier, Honorary Ambassador, Ambassador Award Program
The Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador will partner with the Honour 100 program to administer the Ambassador Program. Students will be selected at the Regional Heritage Fairs to attend a custom European tour of select battlegrounds where the Royal Newfoundland Regiment fought during the First World War.
�Since 1997, the Historic Sites Association has been pleased to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to manage the annual Heritage Fairs program in this province. Directly linked to school programs, Heritage Fairs allow students to showcase their projects, using a wide variety of mediums. We are so pleased that in the past 17 years, over 116,000 Newfoundland and Labrador students have participated in a Heritage Fair.�
- Margo Connors, Vice Chair, Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
This year�s Heritage Fair theme is Service and Sacrifice Shaping our Culture. Additional information on Heritage Fairs can be found by visiting: www.historicsites.ca .
QUICK FACTS
- Today the Ambassador Award Program, a hands-on student travel program, was officially launched. The Ambassador Award Program is open to all students in Grades 7 through 12 throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
- We Remember: Honouring Those Who Served, a series of curriculum based enhancements concentrating on Newfoundland and Labrador�s First World War story, was also launched today.
- The Ambassador Award Program, as well as We Remember: Honouring Those Who Served, allow students to drill down into the life and experiences of soldiers by researching and interpreting their military service files.
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Media contacts:
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca |
Abigail Snook Marketing Coordinator Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-5515 marketing@historicsites.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Ambassador Award Program
The program is open to all students in Grades seven to 12 throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and invites students to:
- Select a soldier, other individual, or group who contributed to the war effort;
- Research his / her / their experience; and
- Present their research.
Presentations can use a variety of formats, such as, drama, music, storytelling or visual art and projects will be adjudicated within the framework of the provincial Heritage Fairs program.
Additional curriculum resources have been developed in both official languages for select courses in Grades 7 to 12. The new lesson plans, which are titled We Remember: Honouring Those Who Served, allow students to learn, in more detail, about the Royal Newfoundland Regiment�s contribution to the First World War. These additions to the curriculum will be available to teachers in April, and will provide students with the opportunity to explore the lives of First World War soldiers by researching their military service files.
2016 03 24 2:15 p.m.