Hant’s Harbour Willow Tree Heritage

Hant’s Harbour Willow Tree Heritage Society received the MANL Award of Merit for their innovative Willow Tree Walk Project. The Willow Tree Walk takes visitors on a self-guided tour through the Trinity Bay community of Hant’s Harbour and nine of its historical sites. The experience of each site is supported with downloadable stories told by real members of the community that bring the history of Hant’s Harbour to life. The Willow Tree Walk Project’s combination of digital media, physical heritage, and community participation make it an exceptional example of the innovative approaches being taken to exhibit Newfoundland and Labrador’s heritage. 

Each historic site along the Willow Tree Walk is accompanied by a professionally produced audio narration featuring stories told by real people connected to Hant’s Harbour. Each story was developed from history and oral traditions with the participation of community volunteers who also served as narrators for the project. These stories connect the historic sites to the people who have lived in Hant’s Harbour for generations, melding the community’s tangible and intangible heritage into a cohesive experience. 

The Willow Tree Walk incorporates digital elements to enhance the project’s accessibility and present the heritage of Hant’s Harbour in a sustainable way. The audio narrations that accompany the walking tour are available for download on several major digital platforms, allowing both on-site visitors and individuals anywhere in the world to listen. Using these platforms ensures that these stories of Hant’s Harbour’s history can be easily maintained and discovered in the future. 

Douglas Churchill

The MANL Award of Merit was given to Douglas Churchill for his decades of service to Glovertown and its heritage. Churchill’s contributions to the community are numerous and varied, ranging from regional representative of the Rural Secretariat to Mayor of Glovertown. He is also a driving force in the town’s heritage and tourism industries where he has played a central role in preserving and promoting the area’s history. 

Alongside his wife Linda, Douglas Churchill opened and operated the Lilac Inn Bread and Breakfast, a Victorian era building in Glovertown. Churchill subsequently played a major role in the renovations of the former Janes home that would go on to become the Glovertown museum. As Chair of the Museum Committee, Churchill was instrumental in guiding the development of the museum’s exhibits and collections, and in ensuring the building itself was properly cared for. Through Douglas Churchill’s dedication the Glovertown Museum grew into an exceptional example of the heritage community in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Lloyd Kane

For more than three decades Lloyd Kane dedicated his energy to preserving and promoting the history of Cupids and in 2026 he posthumously received the MANL Award of Merit in recognition of his service. Kane’s strategic leadership and relationship building skills were instrumental in developing the Cupid’s Legacy Centre into the organization it is today, and his continued efforts to promote the province’s history and culture inspired many other organizations in the pursuit of their goals.

Kane’s accomplishments range from extensive documentation of archival material to building relationships that opened new doors for Cupids and the heritage community. His most notable achievement is arguably his contributions to the 400th anniversary of Cupids’ founding where he gained the attention of not only Newfoundland and Labrador’s Premier, but also the Prime Minister of Canada and the Prince of Wales. Kane’s ability to build rapport with others, whether they were local volunteers or international figures, and his skilled oversight have made an enduring impact on the community of Cupids, the Cupids Legacy Centre, and the province’s heritage.

Anne Chafe

Throughout her career Anne Chafe fostered a reputation for her collaborative leadership and commitment to equity that MANL wishes to recognize with our Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award. As CEO of The Rooms, Chafe led Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial museum through the challenges of the Covid pandemic into record visitation numbers for the organization, finishing a career dedicated to promoting Canadian heritage and culture on a high note. 

Chafe’s drive realized a vision of The Rooms as a cultural hub for Newfoundland and Labrador that welcomes non-traditional museum audiences including music and performing arts. She has further contributed to the cultural landscape on a national scale as a member of the Canadian Museum Association and Museums Canada, among other associations that were made stronger by her participation.

Roy Dawe

For his longstanding contributions to the community of Cupids MANL awards Roy Dawe the Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award. As a founding member of the Cupids Historical Society, a persistent advocate for the town’s heritage, and a driving force in the recognition of the Cupids Cove Plantation Provincial Historic Site, Dawe has made an enduring mark on the cultural landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dawe was closely associated with the establishment and growth of Cupids’ heritage organizations, dedicating many hours to transforming the former Cupids school into the town’s first museum as well as leading the fundraising and development of their 400th anniversary celebrations. Among his most notable accomplishments are advocating for the royal visit of the Prince of Wales in 2009 and, most significantly, establishing contact with archaeologist Bill Gilbert. Gilbert’s work led to the discovery and excavation of John Guy’s colony and the subsequent recognition of Cupids Cove Plantation as a Provincial Historic Site, an achievement that is the result of Dawe’s commitment and leadership.