HFNL ICH recommended for Observer Status with UNESCO

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador-Intangible Cultural Heritage (HFNL-ICH) recommended for Observer Status with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

ST. JOHN'S- The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador-Intangible Cultural Heritage (HFNL-ICH) Office has been recommended for Observer Status to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”), United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as of November 19th, 2010. The decision to recommend HFNL-ICH office was made at the 5th Session of the Committee in Nairobi, Kenya.

The final decision will be made by the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to take place in Summer 2012 in France, at its Fourth Session.

"Having observer status will enable HFNL ICH Office to learn from the many international activities involving intangible cultural heritage that are happening worldwide”, says Dr. Gerald Pocius, Chair of the Provincial Advisory Committee on ICH. They will also be given the opportunity to actively participate in the Committee’s work and activities, including making requests for international assistance with the development of safeguarding plans for intangible cultural heritage at risk. Dr. Pocius explains that “being able to meet directly with experts working in these [UNESCO ICH] programs and activities will enhance our work here in the province, and build networks of expertise we can draw upon”.

Dr. Pocius says "The direct dialogue with UNESCO on ICH issues is especially important, given the growing interest of cultural and heritage associations/organizations and universities in the intangible cultural heritage in Canada since the adoption by UNESCO, in 2003, of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage".

“The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is pleased that HFNL – ICH Office has been recommended for observer status with the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage as it is the only organization in Canada to have been accorded this honour. This will provide many benefits to the organization for the continuation of its work in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as increase the interest and work of intangible cultural heritage stakeholders in other provinces”, says David A. Walden, Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Established in 1984 to preserve the architectural heritage of the province, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador was further chosen in 2008 to lead and implement the province's Intangible Cultural Heritage Strategy. Its mission is to safeguard and sustain the intangible cultural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador for present and future generations everywhere, as a vital part of the identities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and as a valuable collection of unique knowledge and customs. This will be achieved through policies that support initiatives that will celebrate, record, disseminate and promote living heritage and help to build bridges between diverse cultural groups within and outside Newfoundland and Labrador.

Groups Encouraged to Apply to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program

Aboriginal organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador with a focus on preserving cultural heritage are being encouraged to apply to the Provincial Government’s 2011 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program (ACHP).

“Established as a pilot project in 2008, this program has funded a number of successful initiatives designed to support the province’s Aboriginal heritage,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “As a government, we are committed to safeguarding and protecting Newfoundland and Labrador’s Aboriginal heritage. We want to ensure the practices and cultures of Aboriginal peoples in the province will be celebrated and sustained into the future.”

ACHP supports eligible applicants in the safeguarding of traditions and culture including language, traditional knowledge and skills, storytelling, music, games and other pastimes, knowledge of the landscape, customs, cultural practices and beliefs, food customs, and living off the land.

“By actively participating and contributing to our cultural heritage, Aboriginal peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador are securing its preservation,” said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “This province enjoys a unique and rich cultural heritage, and I encourage Aboriginal groups and communities to apply for funding through the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program to ensure our continued contribution to this province’s cultural tapestry.”

Successful applicants can receive up to $15,000 for projects that document, pass on, and celebrate cultural traditions. For short-term events that recognize traditional culture, a grant of up to $1,000 is available. Applications are reviewed by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from Aboriginal groups across the province.

The deadline for proposals is April 15, 2011.

For an application and further guidelines about the program, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/heritage/Aboriginal_cultural_heritage_program.html

Mummers Wanted for "The Walrus" Photo Shoot

Calling all post-Christmas mummers! Newfoundland author Lisa Moore has written an article for an upcoming edition of the Canadian magazine The Walrus, and they are looking for some good photos of mummers to illustrate the edition (and possibly grace the cover).

Scottish-Canadian Photographer Johan Hallberg-Campbell is flying in to do some photos, and we need some volunteer mummers who aren't shy about having their photos taken!

We're meeting on Sunday, February 27th, at 1pm, in the parking lot of Holy Heart of Mary Highschool on Bonaventure Avenue. All ages, shapes and sizes of mummers, janneys and hobby horses welcome!

Photo Above: Mummers Charlotte Reid and Darrell Dye get their gatch on at the 2010 Mummers Parade, posted on the Mummers Festival facebook group by Tyler John.

Help us pick a name for the 3rd Annual Folklife Festival!

We are in the process of planning the 3rd Annual Folklife Festival, which will start the second week of August.

This year, the theme is agriculture, farming traditions, food production, and animal husbandry, and we need a name!

We've created a little survey for you to have your say. See the options, and register your vote. If you have your own suggestion, you can add it to the survey as well.

Help! What do I do with the Boxes Under the Bed?

Boxes Under the Bed: Dealing with backlog interview collections


Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Office, Heritage Foundation of NL
Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives
Partnered Workshop

April 8, 2011 9:30 a.m – 3:30 p.m.
The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John’s

Well, maybe they’re in your storage room, or in your bottom desk drawer – those shoeboxes of cassettes or videos that were collected by a summer project, seniors’ group or JCP worker. These were the recordings that were going to preserve the voices of the past – but here they sit with no voice at all! You don’t know what’s on the recordings, you don’t know much about who made them – maybe you don’t even have the equipment to play them!

How can you get access to those voices from the past? How can you preserve and use them? Dale Jarvis and Mary Ellen Wright will guide you through the process of identifying, arranging, describing, preserving and providing access to older collections that have been donated or made available to you or that already exist in your holdings. Topics to be covered include:

• Recording formats
• Documentation and consent
• Describing, indexing and transcription of contents
• Access issues
• Digitization
• Preservation of originals

Registration deadline: Participants must register for this course by April 1.

Fees: $35

Some financial assistance for transportation costs is available for members: please contact the ANLA office for more information.

P.O. Box 23155, St. John's NL, A1B 4J9
Telephone: 709-726-2867 Fax:709-722-9035
E-mail: anla@nf.aibn.com

Measures of Support for Intangible Cultural Heritage: Governments, Institutions and Municipalities

The Conseil québécois du patrimoine vivant is hosting an international conference on ICH this April, and yours truly will be one of the presenters, along with representatives from Quebec, France, Brazil, Scotland, Austria and Peru!

Measures of Support for Intangible Cultural Heritage : Governments, Institutions and Municipalities

14-17 April 2011 | Hotel Château Laurier
Québec City, Quebec, Canada

You can check out the schedule and list of speakers at:
http://www.patrimoinevivant.qc.ca/conference

Google Map Workshop in Trepassey

Here we are in Trepassey, with the Google Map Maps workshop crowd! Thanks to all who took part!

View Trepassey Workshop in a larger map