St. George’s Courthouse to Receive New Bilingual Plaque

Join Heritage NL and the St. George’s Indian Band as we present a new bilingual English and Mi’kmaq plaque for the St. George’s Courthouse, now the K'Taqmkuk Mi'Kmaq Historical Museum and Indian Band council office. The plaque presentation will take place during an open house for the K'Taqmkuk Mi'Kmaq Historical Museum.

When:      Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 2-4 p.m. 

Where:     183 Main Street, St. George’s, NL

“Heritage NL is pleased to announce a new heritage plaque for the St. George’s Courthouse, as it represents two themes that are not as strongly represented in the catalogue of Registered Heritage Structures: the West Coast of the island and our Indigenous heritage,” says Dr. Lisa Daly, Chair of the Heritage NL board. 

“Heritage NL has much work to do to better represent all people of our province, and being able to present the St. George’s Courthouse with a plaque in both English and Mi’kmaq is a small step we can take to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous history and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The St. George’s Courthouse is a strong example of the Second Empire style courthouses constructed in the early 20th century by Public Works, and represents St. George’s significance as an early population centre on the West Coast. Throughout the courthouse's 115 year history, it has been used as a community space as a polling station, for dances and public meetings, and now as the K'Taqmkuk Mi'Kmaq Historical Museum. Through the ongoing efforts of the St. George’s Band Council, the courthouse is now a place for the protection and celebration of Mi'kmaq history and culture. 

"We have been working to focus on underrepresented areas, with staff recently on the West Coast to assess currently registered structures and some that have the potential to be recognized,” says Daly. 

“Our recent Heritage Skills Training Program allowed us the opportunity to pair mentors and apprentices across the province, including numerous Indigenous participants who are passing on their traditional skills and intangible cultural heritage to the next generation.”

St. George’s Courthouse Plaque Text:

Built 1903-1904

Recognizable for its curved roof and central tower, this

courthouse shares a similar design with several others built

across the island during this period. It also served as a post

office, meeting space, and as a spot for community dances.

The building is now the Indian Band Council Office and

ktaqmkuk Mi'Kmaw Historical Museum.

Kisitasiks 1903-1904

Weji nenmɨk ta’n teli upmik poqwatikn aqq miawe’k

kini’skwik espɨtek, ula courthouse telik nkutey pukwelkl

pilue’l kisitasiksɨpn kame’k minikuk net tele’kek. E’wasiksɨp

wjit Post Office, Etl mawteskatultimk, aqq wjit i’tliamalkaltimk.

Nekmowey na nike’ ewasik wjit L’nueyey Band

Council Office aqq Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaw Historical Museum.