A bronze statue in Botwood was unveiled this weekend commemorating 200 years since the death of one of the last known Beothuck in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The statue depicts Demasduit, her husband and their infant child.
In the spring of 1819, a party of settlers set out into the interior to retrieve items taken from nearby fishing stations, and to establish friendly relations with the last known Beothuck, but the whole thing went terribly wrong. Nonosabasut was killed, and Demasduit was abducted, despite her attempts to convey to the expedition members that she was nursing.
Premier Andrew Furey called Monday’s statue unveiling a step towards reconciliation.
“These statues, these spirits that they encapture, will now forever be a monument of the past or a gathering place for a reflection of today,” told Furey.
“It will be a beacon of light and hope for the path of reconciliation.” The statue is situated in a healing garden atop Blueberry Hill, overlooking the Bay of Exploits.
The province pitched $115,000 in for the statue in 2022.