The Town of Botwood is planning to memorialize a piece of the province’s indigenous history.
The central Newfoundland town plans to erect a bronze statue of Beothuk Demasduit, her husband Nonosbawsut and niece Shanawdithit.
It has always been the town's goal to recognize Demasduit, one of the last Beothuks in Newfoundlandand.
“We always said we would do something to honour her life, not her death, but her life,” said Botwood Mayor Scott Sceviour.
In 1819, Demasduit was captured when an army party of English settlers went to Red Indian Lake to take back items stolen by Beothuks. Nonosbawsut was killed trying to rescue his wife.
Once she was taken to St. John's, Demasduit was given the name Mary March.
Demasduit died from complications of tuberculosis in what is now called Botwood. The 200th anniversary of her death was marked on Jan. 8, 2020.
“We always said we would do something to honour her life, not her death, but her life,” said Botwood Mayor Scott Sceviour.
The memorial will stand near the town’s gazebo at the top of King’s Road. It will include a healing garden surrounded by a memorial garden. The location will give the statue a panoramic view of the harbour and looks up the Exploits River, which was an important waterway to the Beothuk people.
“The statue will be pointed towards Millertown, her home,” said Sceviour.
The town contacted renowned Newfoundland sculptor Morgan MacDonald to help with the project. He has previously completed bronze sculptures of the three Beothuks Botwood plans to honour.
While the statue and memorial gardens are still in their conceptual phase, the town has been reaching out to its neighbours, community groups and others in search of letters of support.
Botwood has filed a federal application for project funding.
With 2020 being the town’s Come Home Year, it would be ideal for the statue to be unveiled during the festivities.
However, Sceviour said the project won’t be rushed.
“There will be recognition in 2020, but the statue might not be until 2021,” he said.
