SUNNYSIDE, NL, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - An investment in support of commemorations of the first recorded meeting between the English and the Beothuk is also promoting local tourism. Senator Elizabeth Marshall confirmed this support today while participating in the opening ceremony of the Sunnyside Truce Sound 400 Festival and the unveiling of the Peace Garden Memorial, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
Funding has enabled the Sunnyside Heritage Association to create the memorial and organize the Festival as part of the 400th anniversary celebrations. Taking place from August 7 to 12, 2012, the Sunnyside Truce Sound 400 Festival will present various events that celebrate First Nations and Newfoundland cultures. Activities include music concerts, historic performances, a display of archaeological artifacts, storytelling, and guided walks on the Truce Sound Coastal Trail.
"This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous and free country we are today."
"It is important to invest in celebrations like Truce Sound 400 to ensure that Canada's rich heritage is preserved for future generations," said Senator Marshall. "These anniversaries connect all Canadians. I'm proud that we are supporting these historic celebrations, which strengthen local pride and contribute to the economic health of our communities."
"The opening of Truce Sound 400 and the new Peace Garden are important milestones for our community," said Susan Khaladkar, Deputy Mayor of Sunnyside and Chair of the Sunnyside Heritage Association. "Most of us grew up knowing the story of Governor John Guy's meeting with a group of Beothuk but had no idea it happened in our harbour. The location of the meeting was discovered in the 1980s but is still not well known. Funding from the Government of Canada has enabled us to celebrate this event and construct a permanent Peace Garden that will be dedicated to the Beothuk and all ancient peoples that lived in this area."
The Truce Sound Peace Garden Memorial was created by the community of Sunnyside in 2012 to commemorate the historic meeting between English colonists, led by Governor John Guy, and a group of Beothuk in November 1612.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $45,040 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
(media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
Gilles Thériault
Director, Regional
Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506-851-3980
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]
(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
Share this article