Amanda Gear

St. John’s, Ktaqmkuk was once a bustling colonial port town. It is surrounded by the sea and was dominated by the British Empire. But, decades after the end of the colonial cod fishery, the city had changed. It was a place of diversity, of new ideas and new perspectives. And for one Inuk woman, it was a place of opportunity.

Grace had always loved the sea. She had grown up in the small city and ever since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of exploring the world beyond her tiny corner of this province. She had worked hard to get an education, even though her parents had struggled to afford it, and now she was working as a marine biologist. She loved her job, loved the thrill of discovery and the excitement of the unknown. She also knew that her community was struggling. The economy was in decline, and many people were struggling to make ends meet. She wanted to help, to find a way to revitalize the local economy, and preserve the natural resources that were so important to the Indigenous people of the province.

She started small, talking to local business owners, fishermen, and community leaders. She listened to their concerns, and began to develop a plan. She knew that the key to sustainable economic growth was in combining the traditional industries of fishing and tourism with Indigenous practices and new technologies that could help create jobs and stimulate growth. She started by promoting Indigenous led eco-tourism, creating a network of local businesses and organizations that could work together to provide visitors with an authentic Newfoundland and Labrador experience. She also worked with local schools and universities to promote environmental education and research, hoping to inspire the next generation of Indigenous environmentalists and entrepreneurs.

It wasn’t easy, and she faced a lot of resistance from those who were hesitant to embrace change. But she kept pushing, kept working, and slowly but surely, she began to see results. Tourists began to flock to the province, eager to experience the rugged beauty of the coastline, the colourful houses and pubs that lined the streets, and the warm hospitality of the locals. And as the tourism industry grew, so did the local economy.

Grace knew that they couldn’t rely on tourism alone. She also worked to promote sustainable fishing practices, encouraging local fishermen to adopt new technologies combined with traditional Indigenous techniques that would help them catch fish more efficiently, and with less impact on the marine ecosystem. And she worked with local business owners to develop new products and services that would leverage the region’s natural resources in innovative ways.

Over time, St. John’s began to transform. It was no longer a colonial city – it was a thriving, modern city, with a diverse economy that combined tradition with innovation. The people of Ktaqamkuk had found a new sense of pride and purpose, and they had Grace to thank for it.

Years later, as she sat on the rocky shore, watching the waves crash against the cliffs, Grace reflected on what they had achieved. St. John’s was no longer just a colonial fishing port. It was a hub of Indigenous innovation, a place where new ideas and old traditions coexisted.

The sun was just beginning to rise over the hills of St. John’s, casting a warm orange glow over the historic buildings of the city’s downtown core. But today was no ordinary day in St. John’s. Today was the day that the province would begin its long journey of decolonization.

For centuries, the land of Newfoundland and Labrador had been home to Indigenous Peoples, including the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Inuit, and Innu. With the arrival of European settlers in the late fifteenth century, the land was violently taken from Indigenous Peoples and their ways of life were forever altered – the Indigenous nation of the Beothuk was wiped out completely through genocide and the remaining nations refused to let that be their fate in history. Now, well into the twenty-first century, the leaders of the provincial government were beginning to realize the deep wounds that colonization had left on what had become the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and its inhabitants. It was time to begin the process of healing.

Government leaders had been working for months to create a plan for decolonization as outlined by First Voice, and today was the day that the coalition’s Calls for Change would be put into action. The streets of downtown St. John’s were lined with people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who had come to witness this historic moment.

At the centre of it all was a small group of Indigenous leaders. They stood before the officials, who had gathered on the steps of the historic Colonial Building. The leader of the Indigenous group, a woman named Jenelle, stepped forward to address the crowd. “Today, we begin the process of healing,” she said, her voice strong and steady. “For too long, the Indigenous Peoples of this land have been silenced and oppressed. But today, we take the first step towards a better future.” With that, J, as her friends called her, held up a small bundle of sweetgrass, lighting it with a match. The sweet scent filled the air as she began to smudge the officials, each one holding out their hands to receive the cleansing smoke.

After the smudging ceremony was complete, the officials stepped forward to sign the decolonization agreement. The document outlined the steps that the provincial government would take to acknowledge and address the harm that had been done to Indigenous Peoples, including implementing Indigenous language and cultural programs in schools, acknowledging Indigenous land rights, and working to address the high rates of Indigenous incarceration and poverty. As the officials signed the document, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. It was a moment of hope and healing, a turning point in the long and painful history of colonization.

Over the months that followed, the Province began to put the decolonization plan into action. Indigenous language and cultural programs were implemented in all public schools, and a new curriculum was developed that included the actual histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples in the province. The government also worked to address the high rates of Indigenous incarceration and poverty by focusing on community policing programs and restorative justice practices. A new community centre was established in St. John’s that provided support and resources for Indigenous families, and partnerships were formed with Indigenous organizations to help address the root causes of these issues.

As the years went by, the effects of decolonization became more and more apparent. The streets of St. John’s were filled with the sounds of Indigenous languages and the sight of traditional regalia. The city’s buildings and landmarks were renamed to honour the Indigenous Peoples of the region, and Indigenous art and culture were celebrated throughout the city.

Perhaps the most significant change was the way that Indigenous people were treated in St. John’s. No longer were they marginalized and oppressed, but rather they were celebrated and supported as integral members of the community. Janelle, the leader of First Voice, the coalition that helped kickstart the decolonization process, reflected on the changes that had taken place. “We have come a long way,” she said, her voice filled with emotion, “But there is still much work that has to be done.”