The Women Who Shaped Newfoundland: Stories of Resilience, Leadership, and Triumph
- Tales from The Rock
- Mar 8
- 2 min read
As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we're excited to share the stories of five amazing women from Newfoundland and Labrador. Here’s our first installment!
Let's dive into their stories and see what makes them so inspiring.
Shanawdithit
We first learned about Shanawdithi while we were researching for an article about the Newfoundland School Train from the mid-30s. In recognition of Shanawdithit's legacy, the train bears her name as a tribute to the resilience. She was the last known Beothuk, she shared her culture and language with settlers, giving us a glimpse into a world that's now lost. Her story is both heartbreaking and powerful, reminding us of the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities.
Shanawdithit played a crucial role in preserving the history and culture of her people.
Born around 1801 in Newfoundland, she lived during a time of great upheaval for the Beothuk. As a young girl, Shanawdithit experienced firsthand the violence inflicted upon her people. In 1823, at around 22 years old, Shanawdithit was captured by English settlers.
During her time in captivity, Shanawdithit made invaluable contributions to our understanding of Beothuk culture:
She created intricate drawings depicting Beothuk life, including maps of their territories and encounters with European settlers.
Shanawdithit documented important events, such as the capture of her aunt Demasduit and the killing of her uncle, Beothuk chief Nonosabasut, in 1819.
Working with William Cormack of the Beothuk Institution, she helped record information about Beothuk language, customs, and history.
Shanawdithit passed away on June 6, 1829, in St. John's, Newfoundland. Her legacy lives on through her artwork and the knowledge she shared.
Today, Shanawdithit is commemorated in several ways:
A statue designed by Gerald Squires stands at the Beothuk Interpretation Centre near Boyd's Cove.
A plaque honouring her as a National Historic Person can be found in Bannerman Park, St. John's.
Her drawings continue to provide valuable insights into Beothuk culture and their interactions with European settlers.
Be sure to visit the Beothuk Interpretation Centre, in Boyd's Cove, to learn more about the Beothuk people and Shanawdithit's story of resilience and tragedy, making her a symbol of the strength and loss of Indigenous heritage in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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