March'99 Downhomer Magazine


OUR "Heritage Tree" The Tree of the Millennium! The first moment I laid eyes on this massive log and breathed in its wonderful cedar fragrance, I fell in love with it. Then when I saw the exquisite images of Shanadithit and our Newfoundland Coat of Arms already carved deeply into the tree, the words "HERITAGE TREE" made perfect sense to me. It was like the time I read my first Downhomer magazine, I was hooked! I knew I just had to be a part of something good for and about Newfoundland and like the magazine, this tree represented heritage, culture, art and industry that was going to make an impact on every Newfoundlander and visitor to this Province. And what an impact this Tree has made already! If you are only seeing our Heritage Tree for the first time through these words and pictures, your first real visit to our Tree will leave you spellbound.

Did you notice I said "our" Heritage Tree? Yes, this is OUR Tree!It belongs now to every child, woman and man here in Newfoundland and Labrador. The images carved on it commemorate 50 years since Confederation, a 100 years of Newfoundland historical events, 500 years since John Cabot arrived, a 1000 years since the Vikings reached our shores, and even more. Just as we are soon to celebrate a wonderful Soiree'99 and ride into a new millennium, our Heritage Tree will also depict our earliest aboriginal inhabitants of millenniums ago, the Maritime Archaic Indians! It truly is THE TREE of the millennium!

Remember the old expression when driving and seeking directions, "You can't miss it!"? Well whether driving east or west on the Trans Canada Highway, the expression will be more "You WON'T miss it!" Just off the highway east of Corner Brook looking at the scenic ski hills of majestic Marble Mountain, the Heritage Tree now stands in all its glory. Although still an artwork in progress, this massive 350 year old redwood cedar pole stands at 52 feet high(15m.),about four and a half feet in diameter and now weighs in at about 7 tons!(6550Kg) So far 65%% of the Tree is completed with images that not only symbolize but depict our past and present. And the images are not just facing one direction but encompass an entire 360 degrees. And since I don't wish to rob you of some of the surprise that awaits you and your families, let me just say some of the deeply cut and polished images like Sir Wilfred Grenfell, Locomotive 596 of the NFLD Railway, the Moravian Church of Labrador, an iceberg, fishing stage, a Newfoundland dog, and even the Colonial Building are just "some" of the carvings that await your viewing.

Where did such an inspiration come from to establish the idea of our own Heritage Tree? Answer: Trevor Bennett. I only know Trevor Bennett as a good friend who would not want me to list his personal life long achievements. So I'll just say that Trevor is Mayor of Steady Brook and son of the famous Nurse Bennett of Daniel's Harbour, whose home there is now undergoing a complete historical renovation as a national historical Heritage Canada Site. Trevor's passion for writing poetry and communicating historical Newfoundlandia to locals as well as visitors to his wife's fine Bed and Breakfast home, are truly wonderful.

Originally Trevor conceived the idea of the Heritage Tree after a local reporter asked him what the Town of Steady Brook was doing for the 1999 Jeux du Canada Winter Games. Much like the aboriginal totem poles out West, Trevor wondered whether or not there was a tree big enough here in Nfld where artists could carve images that would depict our own historical people and endeavors.

But where would he find such a special Tree? Thank God there are Newfoundlanders everywhere who still and always will call Newfoundland and Labrador "home"! Bring in Dan Preshyon, originally from Port aux Choix, and his wife Tracy Lee Bruce, originally from Stephenville. Dan has been working in the forests of British Columbia for the last 20 years and through both their hard-working efforts, contact was made with Western Forests Products of B.C. and a 65 foot section of a massive cedar tree was donated to the cause. How would it get here? Bring in Newfoundlander Paul Head of Household Shipping and Movers who offered to transport the tree right across Canada! Then bring in Marine Atlantic! They offered to transport the tree from North Sydney to Port aux Basques. Eventually Clyde Way Trucking freely donated its time and service to transport the tree as did Lloyd Clarke of Conway Services Ltd. to the planned site at Marble Mountain. Even the military, under the direction of Major Currie of the Nfld 2nd Battalion reserve, freely offered and installed a 70 foot tent to cover the whole Tree for the artists to work under.

Then enter Marble Mountain and our provincial Government. They agreed to oversee the complete project along with Joe Dicks of the V.C.B to ensure the artists were given special attention and places to live. Joe Dicks, own er of Marble Mtn. Cabins, Perry Butt, owner of the Lodges, and Mark Sexton of Marblewood Village gave free accommodation to the artists.

And finally, through the efforts of a Nfld. company who wishes to remain anonymous, the preparation and construction of the site for the erection of Tree was accomplished for little or no cost. As for the artists, they are a story that will be featured in a future Downhomer. But all are accomplished wood carving artists with talent galore. They are Bernie Benoit, from Port au Port, Scott Butt of St George's, Norman Young of Griquet, and Colin Mahoney of Steady Brook.(The sketching artists were Paul Smith and Robin Howelland now Mike Bonnell) I've enjoyed watching them work on this Tree every time I visit. They all have a great sense of humor and yet really know how to concentrate and put the chisel into the wood...and occasionally into their fingers, arms and legs!!

Working on this Tree has been a real joy and challenge since they have been working in the horizontal position. Since these artisans du bois much prefer working in the vertical position, now that the Tree is up, they can't wait to get at the remaining ideas and concepts and let the cedar chips fly! I found just watching them make images appear, like the complete face of Shanadithit, a fascinating process. It was as if Mother Nature always had this beautiful last Beothuck in her bosom within the Tree and suddenly it appeared as if out of nowhere. Perhaps you too will see them at work this Spring and Summer when you visit and offer suggestions for the Tree. You ideas will be most welcomed!! There are many others who have played a part in establishing the Heritage Tree! "The list could go on and on," says Trevor Bennett." And now we need every sponsor, business, and Newfoundlander to rally around this tree and see it completed. There are many more carved images to put on this Heritage Tree since it was planted on Feb 2nd,1999, to make it a finished work of art."

How true that expression is: "a work of art!" This Tree is the first of its kind in North America and I know for a fact since I now sit on the Heritage Tree committee, that the vision for this incredible Tree and interpretation site are plain and simple. Trevor says, "It is the good we do that lives a fter us. "Our Heritage Tree will stand proud and tall for generations to come. It will point the way to many other fabulous sights and historical sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and be a constant reminder of our culture and heritage for our children and their children's children.

The Heritage Tree site itself will be within a peaceful natural park to view the tree as well as relax and picnic in the open air and sunshine. With the beautiful Marble Mountain ski hills and Lodge less than a 5 minute walk away, this tree will rest as if in the center of the mighty Humber Valley. Indeed as Trevor wrote in one of his poems that I intertwined with another poet's words, Charlene Benoit,age 14 (daughter of artist Bernie), a new song has emerged here in part: Now a whole new millennium Will reach this great land Our cedar Tree though silent Will speak - from human hands.

The images and their stories
are carved for all to see
of founders and icons
who gave us -identity!
(chorus)
On our Heritage Tree,our Heritage Tree
Planted in soil now for all to see
A reminder to every child, woman and man
Of the history of Labrador and Newfoundland!

You too can help and make a difference. The Heritage Tree is possible because of the participation of its many contributors. The first and most valuable participants were our ancestors! Without them what then? Any donation large or small will be accepted (tax deductible)

Please mail donations and "suggestions" for further sponsors to:
Heritage Tree,
P.O.Box 202,
Steady Brook,NF
Canada,
A2H 2N2
(tel.709-634-3474/Trevor Bennett,Chairperson).

Or you can make a donation into any CIBC Bank under
"Heritage Tree",
transit(00163),
account#115-4230

Remember OUR Tree -OUR Heritage! It's also our PRESENT to you!

(Mike Madigan is a teacher, writer, musician(Sharecroppers) and PR person of the Heritage Tree Committee. His group's latest song "The Heritage Tree' is adapted from the poems of Trevor Bennett and Charlene Benoit.)

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To contact the Sharecroppers, their web page address is below
http://www.pasadena.publib.nf.ca/Sharecroppers