Project Summary
By: Amanda Affram, PhD student
Sir Wilfred Grenfell first arrived on the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1892 as part of the Royal National Mission to the Deep-Sea Fishermen. He undertook philanthropic activities in areas including education, health, social development, agriculture, among others. This research project aims to focus on the philanthropic activities of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, the Grenfell mission and more recently the International Grenfell Association (IGA) to reflect on what knowledge exists about this philanthropic mission, related activities, and impacts, and to further examine it from a de-colonizing perspective.
The research project will take place in two phases. The first phase involves a scan and analysis of currently available information on the philanthropic activities of Wilfred Grenfell and the IGA. Community discussions will follow in the second phase of the project to give the opportunity for NunatuKavut community members to retell their own stories related to philanthropy, Grenfell, the IGA and its impacts on individuals, family and community.
The project is a collaboration between the Nunatukavut Community Council (NCC), Grenfell Campus of Memorial University and the Atlantic Hub of the Canadian Philanthropy Partnership Research Network. The study will generate insights for policymakers about the role of philanthropy in present and past communities, and its potential role on the journey of reconciliation. It will also offer the opportunity to enhance understanding of the impact of colonization on Inuit communities.