Media Advisory: Minister Dempster and Parliamentary Secretary Reid Participating in Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage Ceremonies in France and Belgium

July 3, 2024

The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, is participating in ceremonies in France and Belgium July 4-10 as part of the Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage. The Minister will be joined by Scott Reid, MHA for St. George’s-Humber and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, attending on behalf of the Premier.

Each year, students participate in the Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage, a partnership between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Royal Canadian Legion Newfoundland and Labrador Command, and the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As part of this year’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Confederation, Minister Dempster will be joined by 10 youth representing the five Indigenous Governments and Organizations in the province – Nunatsiavut Government, Innu Nation, NunatuKavut Community Council, Miawpukek First Nation, and Qalipu First Nation.

Also participating in the pilgrimage are 15 students accompanying the Royal Canadian Legion and 16 students who are part of the Ambassador Program coordinated by the Historic Sites Association.

The itinerary includes ceremonies at Beaumont Hamel, Gueudecourt, Monchy-le-Preux, Masnières, Courtrai (Kortrijk), and Menin Gate, as well as visits to the John Shiwak Plaque, the Sgt. Thomas Ricketts memorial, Wellington Quarry, Vimy Ridge, Amiens Cathedral, Compiegne, and a number of significant cemeteries.

The province’s annual pilgrimage to Europe honours the First World War contributions of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in France and Belgium. The Trail of the Caribou consists of six bronze caribou statues and commemorates the bravery shown by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during the First World War.

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NT6