Fishing for Success
By KIMBERLY ORREN • NAVIGATOR • MAY 2, 2017
“We are a Sea People, once described by Winston Churchill as the “world’s best small boatmen.” Yet an entire generation has come to adulthood since the cod moratorium. And those of us who may have grown up with our butts in a punt, now have children and grandchildren who spend more time on a virtual screen than at a splitting table!
Just as we celebrated the beginning of Canada’s 150th birthday year, let’s not forget that 2017 also marks the 25th anniversary of the cod moratorium in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you were fortunate enough to grow up here before the cod moratorium, you may have memories of being able to participate in the traditional fishery as a youngster. Perhaps you helped gut fish or cut tongues, you had the opportunity to learn traditional heritage skills at the elbows of your elders and then earn money or bring home a bag of fish for your work! You learned about the value of work and developed pride because you were helping your community and your family. You developed a connection to your fishing heritage, your community and this Place.
This is no longer the case for youth growing up today…”
