@republicofnewfoundland: A Nation Within a Nation: “I’m Still a Newfoundlander” In the documentary The Bayman, one gentleman speaks about how, after Confederation, Newfoundlanders came to be called Canadians as well as Newfoundlanders. But at the end, he makes a simple statement that carries a lot of meaning: “But I’m still a Newfoundlander.” That line speaks to something that remains strong in Newfoundland and Labrador today: our sense of identity. I look at Newfoundland as a nation within a nation. We are part of Canada, but we remain a distinct people with our own history, culture, traditions, dialects and way of life. Personally, I don’t consider myself Canadian first. I consider myself a Newfoundlander. That doesn’t mean I’m not proud of Canada or that I have anything against Canadians. It simply means my Newfoundland identity comes first. When Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, we didn’t suddenly stop being Newfoundlanders. Confederation changed our political status, but it didn’t erase generations of history or the identity of our people. Canada has its Canadian identity, and Newfoundland has its Newfoundland identity. The two can exist together. More than 75 years after Confederation, the words spoken in The Bayman still resonate. We may be part of Canada, but we’re still Newfoundlanders.

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Tuesday 18 August 2026 20:42:22 GMT