Jasmine St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Fair address: Avalon Regional Fair
Project: The Newfoundland Conscience: A History of Giving
My project describes the Newfoundland conscience and the history of kindness in Newfoundlanders. This is done through real life examples of kindness to strangers and kindness to fellow Newfoundlanders. My project also discusses possible reasons that this characteristic kindness has developed.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?
I have learned that kindness is part of the Newfoundland heritage. The most interesting example is that an entire town can come to a stand still to help stranded airline passengers displaced from their homes at a time of international sadness and fear.
What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?
Newfoundlanders have a past history of kindness. This continues to be an integral part of the fabric of today's Newfoundland culture. Newfoundlanders are equally kind to strangers and fellow Newfoundlanders.
How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?
Years ago, until the 1960s, Newfoundland people were typically white. There was very little ethnic diversity in the population. Now people of many ethnic backgrounds live in Newfoundland.
Although life today is very different than it was years ago, kindness continues to be a defining characteristic of the people of Newfoundland.