The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, announced that the Provincial Government is seeking Expressions of Interest for the design, construction and installation of a statue commemorating the Beothuk.

Government believes that actions which respect and honour the culture and heritage of Indigenous peoples are an important step on the path towards Reconciliation. The creation of a Beothuk statue is part of a broader objective by the province to promote symbols that better reflect the diversity, resilience and history of the Indigenous peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador.

There is a resurgence of interest in the Beothuk from Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and includes the recent repatriation of the remains of two Beothuk from National Museums Scotland to this province.

The Expression of Interest seeks submissions from persons who demonstrate the ability to design, construct and install a statue that depicts three Beothuk individuals, based on a conceptual drawing. The statue will be constructed of weather-resistant material and suitable for permanent outdoor installation at a location to be determined at a later date.

Proponents are asked to design a statue of a sufficient size and scale so it is visually prominent in a public venue, while also providing for private contemplation.