Northern Peninsula Heritage Society Conference

September 25th – 27th , 2009

The Bird Cove Interpretation Centre was delighted once again to provide a venue for the presentations of the Northern Peninsula Heritage Society’s Annual Conference.

Provincial, national and international delegates hosted lectures and seminars on various topics; including the Norse, French lighthouse keepers, the Basque, tourism, contributions of Joseph Banks and James Cook, whales and whalers. “The wide range of topics reflects the rich and complex history of the Northern Peninsula (of Newfoundland). As one conference organizer put it, making people aware of the many layers of history that have influenced the region is part of what the heritage conference is all about.” (Northern Pen, Sept. 30, 2002)

Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte MP Gerry Byrne was present, on behalf of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, to award the Queen’s Jubilee medal to three recipients; Dr. Greg McLeod, Professor, University of Cape Breton; Robert Cormier, director general of L’Association de la cote ouest, Port au Port; and conference organizer and seasonal resident of Plum Point, Dr. Selma Barkham, who is a Historical Geographer from England The three were being honoured for their work in promoting cultural heritage. They share a common goal: to link historic sites from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to Cape Charles, Labrador. Dr. McLeod stated the main idea was to develop tourism based on history and culture . (Northern Pen, Sept, 30, 2002) and Dr. Barkham was quick to add, “Anywhere you go in Europe, you don’t just have three or four places 300 miles apart, every little village has something that it’s proud of. We’re trying to get the whole coast interested in its own self and not just in L’Anse aux Meadows, or Gros Morne, or Battle Harbour.” (Northern Pen, Sept. 30, 2002)

Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte MP Gerry Byrne presents Queen's Jubilee medals to:
(l-r) - Dr. Greg McLeod , Professor, University of Cape Breton; Robert Cormier, director general of L'Association de la cote ouest, Port au Port; and Dr. Selma Barkham, Historian Geographer and organizer of the conference. ( Photo: Natelle Fitzgerald, Staff Writer, Northern Pen.)

Dr. Jon Lien, a marine mammal scientist and retired professor from Memorial University, commended the conference organizers in saying, “You don’t want people from Ottawa coming in and telling you what to do. Local people have to drive these processes.” (Northern Pen, Sept 30, 2002)

The event concluded with a post conference trip to the Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands where Dr. Olaf Janzen led an excursion based on Captain James Cook’s Journals.

Dr. Selma Barkham, Historian and founder of the location of the 16th century Red Bay Basque whaling station, is a seasonal resident of Plum Point. Her passion for local cultural heritage is evident as she promotes the 6th Annual Northern Peninsula Heritage Society Conference.