Lately I have been confused by the reactions of fellow Newfies (yes I use the N-word) to articles in the news. First of all, I was not really surprised when Premier Danny Williams got overwhelming support for standing up to Stephen Harper on commitments related to the Atlantic Accord. Why wouldn’t he? Last time he took on the (former) PM on this issue, he won, and we expect the same thing this time.
However, at the same time this story plays out, the Premier (and his Government) is being flogged from all sides for a new branding campaign for the Province. The first complaint was one you expect whenever any government makes a decision, the cost. The Opposition and other groups felt the million dollars could have gone elsewhere, like propping up outport communities on hard times. Though I feel some of these complaints are short sited, I not going to argue them here because it was the second reaction that took me by surprise and lead to my confusion.
You see, the new brand is a stylized version of the words “Newfoundland” and “Labrador” along with a Pitcher Plant, our Provincial flower. In explaining the symbol and how it relates to the people of this province, the literature sent to residents includes text such as, “Because we can’t help but smile at something that lives on a rock, where nothing else grows.” (Cue the criticism…)
When the one of the local newscasts ask for comments on the topic, amongst other things, people complain about the reference. Most of which boiled down to, “why would you want to portray the Province in such a way.” And it’s not only call to the broadcast that have projected this distaste; I have heard it form others both in conversation on the topic, and in passing references.
This is where I start to get confused. Since I can remember I have always here stories about how Newfoundlanders are a strong, hearty people. We had to be! Our ancestors inhabited a fierce and unforgiving land to take on one of the worlds most dangerous professions (especially in those times), fishing. We built communities on the sides of cliffs, just to take advantage of sheltered harbour below. Quite literally growing a community where nothing else would grow.
Not only did we live this way, we were once proud of it. We passed stories and sang songs about the hardship and how our people overcame it all. Lately though, we seem to have lost this sense of pride. We haven’t stopped singing the songs or telling the stories, but it would seem we stopped listening to them. Then we started to hear what a few loud voices in the rest of Canada had to say, and we were ashamed.
Yes, it would seem that Newfoundlanders have the pride and conviction to stand up with our Premier for what we believe is right for our future. What we need to get back now is the pride in our past. With this complete identity, we can more forward, and knowing what our people have gone though thus far, we won’t be afraid of anything the future might hold.
