2020-2021 Design and Story Contest Winners
“A Sense of Community”
Elementary Winner
My Family Boating by Isabella Newhook
Grade 5, Woodland Elementary
My great grandfather had one boat that was my favorite one he had. On the rim it's a dark green and all the rest is white. It has two seats, one for the passengers and one for the captain. It is my pop’s boat now, but I know that it has been in my family's history for 15 years. My great grandfather is now passed but every time I see the boat, I think of him. On my other side of my family, most of that side were boat builders. I never got to see any of the boats they made but I know that it probably looked amazing. My pop died in July 2020 and my uncle was actually going to surprise him with a new boat he got for him and my family. My dad's side of the family are Newhooks. He came from a family of boat builders. Two boat building brothers from England moved to Newfoundland in the 1700’s. These men were my ancestors. So, my family was meant to build boats. As you can see, boats are important to my family and making boats for the community around them! Thank you!
Junior Division
Inuit Drum Dancing by Leah Normore
Grade 8, Labrador Straits Academy
Inuit drumming was primarily used by men and were used to celebrate occasions like a young boy's first hunt, or the birth of a child. Women and children also drummed though there were rules to follow.There were specific drum dances for men and women together, where children were not allowed to attend. A child's first exposure to drumming could be just holding one in their hands, which was an honour to do so.
In early years these drums were crafted of caribou skin stretched across a ring of driftwood, the drum typically had a fur or seal-skin covered handle. The drum made noise by gently striking the edge of the drum.
In 2017 I had the opportunity to attend a drumming lesson here in a local restaurant on the straits. When I got there we all got passed out a drum that was considered ours for the day. We spent a few hours learning some traditional songs and over that time it became easier to pick up on the tunes the instructor was showing us.In 2018 my sister took part in the student on ice arctic expedition where she was gifted a drum from a well respected elder, David Serkoak. Now whenever we like we can play.
Senior Division
Connecting Generations One Stitch at A Time by Shana Brown
Grade 10, Crescent Collegiate
Time spent together is time well spent. You are learning from others as they learn from you. Your base of knowledge quickly grows as you pass time with different people. Spending time with older people in particular is essential to pass on community traditions. The older generations can teach us all so much about how they lived and how the times have changed over the years. However, one thing has reminded the same, the strong, resilient people that make up our province.
I decided to embroider and image of learning to hook a rug from my grandmother. She taught me six years ago. She hooked for the Grenfell Mission, a craft store who sold women’s crafts to gain revenue, as generations had before her. Even though it’s a pleasure now, it was a way of life then. Teaching me let me carry this tradition and keep it alive. I believe that teaching each other skills and valuable knowledge is critical in all communities. While keeping traditions alive, you’re connecting with your community. A sense of community means everyone helps each other and shares their knowledge, traditions and culture that makes each community unique.