Commemorating the 1914 Sealing Disasters in Newfoundland and Labrador

ELLISTON, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwired - June 19, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament (Miramichi), on behalf of the Government of Canada, today took part in the unveiling of the Sealers Memorial in Elliston. She was joined by members of the Elliston Heritage Foundation and the Home from the Sea campaign, provincial and municipal dignitaries, descendants of sealers, as well as many other Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The Government of Canada contributed $800,000 toward the Memorial and the celebratory activities being held today through Canadian Heritage's Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Innovative Communities Fund.

Quick Facts

• 2014 marks the 100^th anniversary of the sealing disasters in which 251 men perished.
• The Sealers Memorial includes an Interpretive Centre and a Memorial Statue by Morgan MacDonald. They are connected by an interpretive path that provides historical information.
• Activities being held for the unveiling include an interpretive walk, various craft demonstrations, and a presentation of songs that commemorate the sealing disasters.

Quotes

"Our communities have stories to tell of the people and events that have shaped them into what they are today. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that help Canadians share experiences through their culture, history, and heritage."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"It is wonderful to be in Elliston to witness the completed Sealers Memorial. The events of 1914 left a profound mark on this province, and the Government of Canada is pleased to contribute to this project that will help us honour the sealers who died so tragically-and to ensure that they are not forgotten."

-Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament (Miramichi)

"Words are inept to express the gratitude the Elliston Heritage Foundation wishes to convey to the Government of Canada for its generous financial contribution towards the Sealers Memorial in Elliston. This support has helped provide a permanent home for our sealers' stories and a place where we can remember, share, and educate future generations. We appreciate the assistance in creating a lasting legacy to acknowledge this vital part of our history."

-Myrtle Stagg, Chairperson, Elliston Heritage Foundation

"We are grateful to the Government of Canada for its contribution to a legacy project that commemorates our province's most horrific ocean disaster. We remain a society that makes its living from the sea. This project honours sealers who sustained families and built communities for generations past and present, and will continue to in the future. Their stories will be told for generations to come."

-The Honourable John C. Crosbie, Patron of the Sealers Memorial Campaign

Associated Links

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program

Innovative Communities Fund

Home From the Sea

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