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The Beothuk Institute
The Beothuk Institute is the successor of the Boeothick
Institution. The first meeting
of this earlier Institution was held on October 2, 1827 at the Courthouse in
Twillingate. Its President was
William Eppes Cormack. The purpose of the original Boeothick
Institution was to consolidate community support for projects aimed at
opening communications with Newfoundland’s Beothuk and saving them from
extinction.
The new Beothuk Institute was incorporated at
St. John’s
in 1997. Its formation was
initiated by artist Gerry Squires whose vision of a lone Beothuk woman
standing strong and proud against an oncoming storm near Exploit’s
Island
inspired him to create a statue to commemorate the Beothuk. Initially
the new Beothuk Institute raised the funds for this project and Squires’
statue – "The Spirit of the Beothuk" – now stands on the grounds of the
Boyd’s Cove Beothuk Interpretation Centre. During this period the
Beothuk Institute was chaired by Dr. Philip Warren, Faculty of Education
MUN (retired), former Minister of Education, Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
On March 2, 2006 at its Annual General Meeting, the
Beothuk Institute decided to re-locate its Head Office to Lewisporte thus
returning the Institute to Central Newfoundland, the last living space of
the Beothuk.
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Structure
of the Beothuk Institute
The Beothuk Institute is a provincially incorporated body
governed by a Constitution and By-Laws which were promulgated in February,
2000.
The Beothuk Institute Incorporated is a Charitable
Organization recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Institute issues
receipts for income tax deductions to persons, organizations, businesses
and corporations that make donations to the work of the Beothuk Institute.
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Purpose of
the Beothuk Institute
The first objective of the mandate of the Beothuk
Institute has been to commemorate the Beothuk through the erection of an
appropriate statue and to raise funds for this project. This has
been accomplished when Gerald Squires' statue, "The Spirit of the
Beothuk" was unveiled in July 2000 at the Boyd's Cove Beothuk Archaeological
Site.
The second objective is to develop a better public
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of
the Beothuk, of their prehistoric ancestors, and of other First Nation
Peoples of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and to initiate,
support, and encourage projects commensurate with this aim.
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Ongoing Projects
Beothuk DNA Study: In response to an
increasing interest in Beothuk DNA and the realization that this
scientific tool could significantly advance knowledge about the Beothuk,
the Board of the Beothuk Institute has initiated an extensive study of the
Beothuk DNA. The aim is to investigate the ancestry of the Beothuk
and their relationship with other prehistoric and present-day
north-eastern Algonquian speakers and with other Native populations in
this province. All Native groups from this province have approved
the study and geneticists from Memorial and McMaster Universities have
started with investigations. Once funding has been assured, further
details about the study will be released.
Beothuk Trail: There is a high quality gravel
highway running from the south coast through the center of the Island of
Newfoundland. This highway passes along the shore of Red Indian Lake
and takes the traveler through the heartland of Beothuk presence and
activities that became the Beothuk's last refuge. Plans are underway
to request that this route be developed as a historic attraction.
Lower Sandy Point: Located near the community
of Laurenceton, NL, Lower Sandy Point is a place of historical
significance for the Beothuk, and for earlier Native cultures in Newfoundland.
It is also an important location in the history of European
settlement. The Peytons had a major salmon processing facility and a
large permanent home at Lower Sandy Point and Demasduit and Shanawdithit
lived here for periods of time. It is even possible that
Shanawdithit's mother died and was buried here. Archaeological
investigations in 1993 concluded: "Historical documentation,
historical significance, and archeological preservation combine in an attractive
setting to make Lower Sandy Point one of the most important historic sites
in Newfoundland and one with considerable potential for research
interpretation and development."
School Curriculum: The Beothuk Institute believes that
it is of great importance for our youth to learn about the cultures that preceded
ours. Hence, information about the Beothuk's history and the circumstances
of their demise, as well as the stories of other Native groups of this
province need to be part of the provincial school curriculum. The
Beothuk Institute is in the process of reviewing the curriculum and taking
steps to ensure that accurate and detailed information on these topics is
provided.
Commemorating Plaques: Several years ago the
Beothuk Institute applied with the Historic Sites and Monuments Board
(HSMB) of Canada for the designation of commemorative plaques for two
Beothuk women, Demasduit and Shanawdithit, and the Mi'kmaw guides Joseph
Sylvester/Sylvester Joe and Mattie Mitchell. All four plaques were
approved and the one for Mattie Mitchell (1846-1921) was unveiled in June
2005 in the Deer Arm picnic area, Gros Morne National Park.
According to the Communications Officer of the Newfoundland Parks Canada
East Unit, the unveiling of the remaining three plaques is panned for the
summer of 2007. The plaque commemorating Demasduit will be placed in
Botwood, the plaque for Shanawdithit in St. John's, and the plaque
designated for Joseph Sylvester/Sylvester Joe will be installed in Conne
River.
The Beothuk Institute has also requested the HSMB to
replace the plaque on "The Beothuk" that was placed at the Mary
March Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor, in 1980, because its wording in
incorrect. The suggested location for the recast plaque is close to
the TCH where it passes across the Exploits River.
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