The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour:

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to congratulate Sharing Our Cultures on 20 years of celebrating the rich diversity of cultures that call Newfoundland and Labrador home.

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe, Sharing Our Cultures promotes inter-cultural understanding and reminds Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of every background that we all belong.

Today we are displaying a legacy hooked rug showing a map of the world featuring 90 countries or cultures of students who have participated in this program over the past 20 years.

Dr. Quaicoe’s dedication to build connections between Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and newcomer youth has helped a number of generations understand the importance of respecting and celebrating our differences.

Our government is proud to support Sharing Our Cultures and provide funding to enable its expansion to Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor.

It is also my honour to congratulate Dr. Quaicoe on another significant milestone. Earlier this year, Dr. Quaicoe was invested into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This prestigious honour recognizes her profound contribution to making our province an even more beautiful, safe, welcoming and inclusive home for all people.

I ask my Honourable colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe and Sharing Our Cultures.

Thank you.