SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Newfoundland Pride

Honourable senators, today I’m pleased to present chapter 54 of “Telling Our Story.”

Colleagues, many of you are aware of how proud I am to call Newfoundland and Labrador my home, and while I do believe I possess a great sense of humour and can joke around with the best of you, there are many times when I need to draw a line in the sand.

There are people from outside our province who often refer to those of us who come from the island portion of Newfoundland as Newfies instead of Newfoundlanders.

While opinions are evenly split even among our own people on this subject, I have found in my lifetime that the real message is not so much in the word or description, but the way a person expresses it. There are times when colleagues have referred to me as a Newfie and I feel that it has been in a jovial fashion with no ill intent. I have also experienced the word in what I would consider being offered in a very derogatory manner.

This situation has come to light once again during the past few days after the airing of an episode of the TV show “The Simpsons.” One of the scenes in the show featured the words “stupid Newfie,” followed by the character Ralph Wiggum bashing a stuffed seal with a club. I take great exception to this portrayal of the people of my province. Just like all Canadians, we have made mistakes in our lives that would fall within the category of stupid, but to label an entire population in such a mean and vicious way cannot go unaddressed.

When one thinks of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, such as General Rick Hillier, who led our Canadian Forces with pride and distinction, that negative word does not come to mind.

When one thinks of Sergeant Thomas Ricketts, who was a Newfoundland WWI soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded, that negative word does not come to mind.

When one thinks of Dr. Andrew Furey, an orthopaedic trauma surgeon and a Newfoundlander whose dedication to medicine and philanthropy led him to spearhead the non-profit organization Team Broken Earth to bring relief to the people devastated by the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, that negative word does not come to mind.

Think of Olympians such as Brad Gushue and Kaetlyn Osmond; entertainers such as Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh and Mark Critch; artists, actors and writers such as Chris and Mary Pratt, Gordon Pinsent, Allan Hawco, Rex Murphy, Maura Hanrahan and Cassie Brown; and who can forget Alan Doyle and his group Great Big Sea.

Friends, when I think of all these people and so many others that time does not allow me to mention today, that negative word does not come to mind.

I am a proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian. I am proud of the contribution that our people have made to our province, our wonderful country and, indeed, our world. We stand on the shoulders of these brave and courageous men and women who through hard work, much sacrifice and a built-in attribute to be kind and hospitable to other people, reflect the best our province and our country has to offer.

I echo and agree with the words of Newfoundland musician Bruce Moss, who said “The Simpsons” show is “morally bankrupt.” And, by the way, Bruce Moss was offered USD 20,000 — nearly CAD 27,000 — by the producers of the show to use a song he wrote in 1982 as part of Sunday night’s episode. He turned them down months ago and we are so proud of him for doing so. That wonderful song is fittingly called “The Islander,” and I will finish my remarks with a verse from the song:

I’m a Newfoundlander born and bred and I’ll be one till I die.

I’m proud to be an Islander and here’s the reason why:

I’m free as the wind and the waves that wash the sand.

There’s no place I would rather be than here in Newfoundland.

Let’s try a little kindness. Thank you, colleagues.