What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) or what some call “Living Heritage” encompasses many traditions, practices and customs. These include the stories we tell, the family events we celebrate, our community gatherings, the languages we speak, the songs we sing, knowledge of our natural spaces, our healing traditions, the foods we eat, our holidays, beliefs and cultural practices.  

Specific examples of our intangible traditions include—among many other customs, skills and practices—the Christmas mummering traditions, and boat building skills. Our ICH can also include Aboriginal languages and cultural knowledge, our various regional dialects, and the expressive culture, values and beliefs of the diverse cultural groups of Newfoundland and Labrador. Many of us play music or tell stories; some of us know about fishing grounds or berry picking spots; others know about curing illnesses; some of us play cards or skateboard.  

Our Mission

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) was established in 1984 to preserve the architectural heritage of the province. In 2008, HFNL was the organization chosen to lead and implement the province’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Strategy.

 Our mission is to safeguard and sustain the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador for present and future generations everywhere, as a vital part of the identities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and as a valuable collection of unique knowledge and customs. This will be achieved through policies that support initiatives that will celebrate, record, disseminate and promote our living heritage and help to build bridges between diverse cultural groups within and outside Newfoundland and Labrador.

Visit the ICH Website at:

http://www.mun.ca/ich

Read the ICH Blog at:

http://doodledaddle.blogspot.com

 

Dale Jarvis, Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Officer

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newman Building

PO Box 5171

1 Springdale Street, St. John’s, NL

A1C 5V5 Canada

1-888-739-1892 ext 2