Draught and sled dog equipment, cobbling of boots and shoes, horseshoeing and making ceremonial arches are some of the latest additions to Heritage NL’s list of endangered crafts.
The list is compiled through invitations for input from the general public.
Intangible Cultural Program Planner with Heritage NL, Terra Barrett says the draught and sled dog equipment came to them from someone on the west coast who indicated it was difficult to find.
“We rely on people letting us know what they think is endangered, and we do a bit of background research and figure out what kind of issues are facing those crafts.”
Group of men and cars on
Colinet Bridge, St. Mary’s
Bay, with a spruce arch
saying “Welcome”, circa
1930s. Memorial University Archives and Special
Collections (Heritage NL)
She highlighted the ceremonial arches, large ornate structures that were built for big events like formal celebrations and parades, which were once relatively commonplace around the province.
“I think there was maybe one that we came across in maybe the last 10 or 15 years, but it was kind of an anomaly. We don’t really see them that much, but when we look at historical photos, there are examples all across the province” from Nain to St. Mary’s Bay and all points in between.
