Dec 20, 2006
Making the Choice to Stay, Live and Work
in Newfoundland and Labrador
Today the NLDL stood together with groups like the Futures in Newfoundland
and Labrador's Youth (FINALY), The Community Linkages Concept Committee (CLCC)
and the Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmer's Forum (NLYFF). We stood
with bright and talented Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, artists and
entrepreneurs like Shelly Broomfield, Jill Curran, Jamie Baker, Rhonda Tulk-Lane,
Chan Wiseman, our very own Steve Penney, Ray Johnson and Rex Goudie.
Panelists: Jill Curran, Steve Penney, Rhonda Tulk-Lane, Rex
Goudie, Ray Johnson, Chan Wiseman, Shelley Broomfield and Jamie Baker
We stood together as a group with a simple but very powerful message: that
the will and passion of the Newfoundland and Labrador people will be the
strength that drives this province into future prosperity. The message
is directed at the teachers and parents of our youth to instill in them the
positive spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador. To encourage them to
believe that the choice work in Newfoundland and Labrador, that the choice to
be innovative and create new industry and ideas is attainable right here.
The message was also directed at those who would challenge the idea of
revitalizing rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and would discourage our youth
from their dreams. The message for the nay-sayers is that a fundamental
shift in thinking is necessary to drive the positive force that is our youth
and rural communities.
The conference opened with the inspirational words of Ray Johnson of Buddy
Wasisname and the Other Fellers. Ray
is Chairperson of the Flambro Head Heritage Society and Acting Chair of the
Community Linkages Concept Committee.
He shared his passion for the province and spoke of the choices our
youth make “some of us must make the choice to leave, others wonder if they
have a choice to stay.” The
message he wanted everyone to take away from the conference is that we do have
a choice. When questioned on how we can resolve the choice of our youth
to stay. Ray responded “With
inventiveness” He spoke of the
hard-work and ingenuity that has built this great land.
The never-say-die attitude of past generations who made it work because
they had to; because the bond with their home strengthened their resolve.
We as Newfoundland and Labradorians have to recapture some of that
attitude and ingenuity and with it we will prosper.
The conference was also highlighted by some of the examples of the
ingenuity and drive of our youth who have managed to build successes in rural
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Jill Curran returned to N&L and built a business in Ferryland
offers a unique tourism experience. Her
venture called Lighthouse Picnics has grown from a makeshift roadside stand to
a business which employs a seven people.
She spoke about Increasing Rural Economic Development.
Jamie Baker is a columnist originally from Dildo who spoke
passionately about the need for regionalization.
On Youth issues Steve Penney of the NLDL spoke about education and
the obstacles of student debt.
Shelley Broomfield is an Innuit from Labrador who is a brilliant
mind and well-spoken Labradorian who told the conference about Aboriginal
Youth Issues.
Rhonda Tulk-Lane of FINALY spoke about the out-migration and her own
experience in taking the leap of faith to return to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Chan Wiseman of the Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers Forum
used his experience growing up in a farming family to speak about diversifying
rural Newfoundland and Labrador economies beyond the one-industry towns.
Rex surrounded by fans from Mary Queen of Peace
To close the list of guest speakers Rex Goudie, who went through
hell and high-water to make sure he was able to make it to the conference,
spoke about valuing where we come from and what we have.
Without any notes Rex spoke from the heart, describing seeing so many
of his classmates and friends working in Fort MacMurray. He told us of the simple pleasures that he grew up with and
still looks forward to when he returns to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Playing a game of shinny and snowmobiling.
The joy of the outdoors, the freedom we have in this province to enjoy
the environment. With a message
directly for the young people in the audience he reminded them that it is
these simply pleasures that are worth preserving.
 The
conference closed with a final thought from Ray Johnson.
He pointed to the six students of Mary
Queen of Peace who had left during the speeches. "These" he
said "represent the youth who will be lost due to out-migration" and
reminded us of the impact of this trend. He asked “Who will
speak for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?”.
His answer: “I Will. You Will. We
Will.”
To follow up on the message of: “Making the Choice to Stay, Live and Work
in Newfoundland and Labrador”, the launch of a new website was announced.
Building on the phrase from The Ode to Newfoundland – “where once
they stood we stand”. "westand.ca"
will build on the momentum of this Christmas Press Conference and bring our
message into the new year.
Congratulations to all organizers and participants. The emotion and
passion in the room was evidence that this was a press conference like no
other.
Rex accepts his NLDL hat from leadership member Myles Higgins
Learn more about the NLDL and how you can support our work and together we can make a difference!
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