Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
October 14, 2015

Protecting and Promoting Our Cultural Heritage

Provincial Historic Commemorations Program Recognizes Six New Designations

Six new designations were announced today under the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program during a ceremony at The Rooms.

"The Provincial Historic Commemorations Program allows us to recognize and honour the province's cultural and historic treasures. The program recognizes persons, places and events of provincial historical significance and aspects of our intangible cultural heritage, such as our customs, cultural practices, traditional skills and knowledge, all of which distinguish our province and its people. It is encouraging to see residents of the province preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

This year's inductees are:

  • Establishment of Memorial University of Newfoundland - Event of Provincial Significance
  • Establishment of American and Canadian Bases in Newfoundland and Labrador during the Second World War - Event of Provincial Significance
  • Traditional Games of Newfoundland and Labrador - Cultural Tradition and Practice
  • The Newfoundland Pony - Cultural Tradition and Practice
  • Reverend Dr. Lester Leeland Burry - Person of Provincial Significance
  • Nineteenth Century Outport Merchants - Group of People with Provincial Significance (Thomas Ridley, Merchant of Harbour Grace; Roger F. Sweetman, Merchant of Placentia and John Bingley Garland, Merchant of Trinity

Additional information about this year's inductees can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Provincial Historic Commemorations Program invites members of the public to nominate aspects of Newfoundland and Labrador's heritage and culture that they feel are provincially significant. Citizens of the province have the opportunity to submit nominations for consideration in the categories of Exceptional People of the Past, Outstanding Historic Events, Unique Places, Distinctive Cultural Traditions and Practices, and Tradition Bearers. Information on this year's inductees can be found in the backgrounder below.

The program is an initiative of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural strategy Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture.

QUICK FACTS

  • Today the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, announced six new designations under the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program.
  • Since 2010, the Provincial Historic Commemorations Program has made 31 designations.
  • The program was created as part of a commitment to raise the profile and awareness of significant heritage resources outlined by the Provincial Government's cultural strategy Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture.

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Media contact:

Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Inductees to the 2015 Provincial Historic Commemorations Program

Establishment of Memorial University of Newfoundland - Event of Provincial Significance
Memorial University of Newfoundland originated as Memorial University College in 1925 as a living memorial to the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who died in active service during the First World War. In 1949, the college was elevated to university status to provide university education and its benefits to the province and its people. Over the years the university has excelled in its purpose and has touched every aspect of Newfoundland and Labrador society. September 2015 marked the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Memorial University College.

Establishment of American and Canadian Bases in Newfoundland and Labrador during the Second World War - Event of Provincial Significance
The Second World War and the subsequent arrival of thousands of American and Canadian military personnel marked a tremendous turning point in Newfoundland's history. The economic, social, and political repercussions for the province are still being felt today.

Traditional Games of Newfoundland and Labrador - Cultural Tradition and Practice
Traditional games are an essential part of Newfoundland and Labrador culture. Games and play are important formative aspects of childhood socialization. Games such as "Skin the Pudding", "Witch in the Well", "Tiddly" and "Copying Ice Pans" speak to the unique facets of life in the province. Aboriginal communities in the province have their own unique games that include "Ring & Pin", "The Bridle" and "Waltes". These games were played by children in communities and regions throughout the province, perhaps under different names or with slightly different rules, but all contributing to a common culture.

The Newfoundland Pony - Cultural Tradition and Practice
The Newfoundland pony historically played an essential role in the rural domestic economy. It is a distinctive breed that was used extensively in outport agriculture, in transportation, in industry (such as mining) and for other household activities. In the second half of the 20th century the mechanization of transport and agriculture ended the ponies' role in those activities. By the 1980s the once-numerous ponies were close to extinction. The Newfoundland Pony Society was established in 1981 to reverse this decline and their efforts, together with those of others, are showing success.

Reverend Dr. Lester Leeland Burry -Person of Provincial Significance
Lester Leeland Burry was a long-serving clergyman, radio communications pioneer, and social visionary in the 20th century. He was an outstanding advocate for central and northern Labrador, and indeed for the province as a whole, throughout a career spanning over 30 years. For more than a quarter of a century he provided religious and social services to far-flung, isolated communities in Labrador. He brought new technology in the form of radio communications to remote areas of Labrador. Elected the Labrador representative to the National Convention of 1946, Reverend Burry argued for Confederation with Canada, and played an important role in policy development related to Labrador in particular. He remained actively engaged in the life of the province until his retirement.

Nineteenth Century Outport Merchants - Group of People with Provincial Significance
The 19th century outport merchants made a significant historic contribution to Newfoundland and Labrador's economic development, patterns of settlement, and community life. They also impacted the province's political and cultural development. Although a merchant typically had headquarters in a bay or region, the majority were also involved in both fishing and supplying elsewhere, such as in the Labrador and French Shore fisheries; the seal hunt; and the western boat and Bank fisheries off the south coast.

There are three commemorations under this category:

  • Thomas Ridley, Merchant of Harbour Grace
  • Roger F. Sweetman, Merchant of Placentia
  • John Bingley Garland, Merchant of Trinity

2015 10 14                              12:10 p.m.