First provincial folklorist a Memorial alumnus

By Janet Harron | April 21, 2008

Memorial University alumnus Dale Jarvis has been named Newfoundland and Labrador’s first provincial folklorist. Mr. Jarvis, who holds an MA in Folklore, has worked for 13 years with the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL). 

Well known locally from his involvement in storytelling festivals and the famed St. John’s Haunted Hike, Mr. Jarvis is also the author of two popular books on Newfoundland and Labrador folklore and ghost stories and a third volume for young adults. 

His entrepreneurial streak will serve him well in his new position as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Development Officer for the province. 

“Our intangible cultural heritage is in everything we do, and it is such a huge part of the vibrant, living culture we have in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Mr. Jarvis.  “It is going to be exceptionally exciting work, and I am very enthusiastic about diving in.”

Having worked as the provincial registrar for historic buildings, Mr. Jarvis is excited about moving from the tangible examples of our built heritage to the intangible and foresees much future crossover between his position and the folklore faculty of Memorial in terms of, among other things, providing technical expertise.

Department head Dr. Diane Tye couldn’t be more pleased at the government’s decision to recognize the culture and tradition of the province as one of its greatest resources. 

“We are very pleased with the appointment of Mr Jarvis as ICH Development Officer,” says Dr. Tye.  “We expect that this growing partnership will lead to closer collaboration between the university and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in developing future policies and programs. The Folklore Department is committed to documenting and preserving local culture in Newfoundland and Labrador and this new position will help bring folklore to the public view in different and exciting ways.”

Mr. Jarvis is actively seeking input from the general public and encourages both communities and individuals to get in touch.  The new provincial folklorist can be reached by telephone at 1-888-739-1892 or by email at ich@heritagefoundation.ca.  His blog can be found at http://doodledaddle.blogspot.com.  


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