Meet Sarah Mooney!

 

Sarah Mooney will be joining us as a mentor on Research Methods at the Youth Heritage forum on March 21st. 

Sarah Mooney is a researcher, writer, and activist from St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2023, Sarah published a ground-breaking report on the human rights abuses experienced by queer Canadian soldiers in the First World War and is currently writing a creative nonfiction book on the subject. Sarah has worked with a number of national organizations as a writer and researcher including Rainbow Veterans of Canada, EGALE Canada, The LGBT Purge Fund, the ArQuives, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Sarah is also the founder and current co-chair of the NL Queer Research Initiative, a grassroots organization that was established to promote 2SLGBTQI+ history and research in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, Sarah has been nationally recognized for her advocacy campaign No Space for Hate which addresses the growing rise in anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate across the country. 

We look forward to seeing you all at the Youth Heritage Forum at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre to learn more about research methods and topics important to heritage. 

The National Trust is hosting a Youth Heritage Network Session - April 2nd 2026!

The National Trust is creating a Youth Heritage Network meant to be a space designed to connect, support, and empower young people who are passionate about Canada’s history and heritage.

They are hosting a session on April 2, 2026, at 2pm ET.

What to expect from the session: 

• Introduce the Youth Heritage Network’s vision, purpose, and goals
• Discuss roles and opportunities for interested participants
• Outline upcoming meetings and next steps

RSVP and Zoom access can be found here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Q26npeYVQlaY71qahvYqIg 

Any questions can be directed to: community@nationaltrustcanada.ca

Meet Brittany Mitchell from The Rooms!

 

Brittany Mitchell will be joining us from The Rooms as a mentor on Conservation at the Youth Heritage Forum! 

Brittany Mitchell (she/her) is an early-career preventive and generalist conservator. She has a BA in Archaeology and Heritage Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Diploma in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management from Fleming College. She currently works as a Conservator at The Rooms, provincial Museum, Art Gallery, and Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In her free time, Brittany loves to take on many creative hobbies such as embroidery, traditional art, building miniatures, and papercraft. She plays video and board games with friends, and she also loves to explore and experience Newfoundland scenery and wildlife.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre to learn more about entering the conservation field. 

Mentor Introduction- Matt Reynolds

 

Matt Reynolds will be a mentor on Being on a Board at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Matt is an Architect, Graphic Designer, and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Professional known for his values-based design approach that is the foundation of all his work. He is the founder of Forgather Studio and has a decade of experience working across the disciplines of architecture, heritage conservation, branding, and interpretive design.

Matt is on the Board of Heritage NL, the Preservation Committee, and the St. John’s Built Heritage Experts Panel. He has worked for award-winning design firms across Canada and holds a Master of Architecture from Dalhousie University.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Meet Katie Crane!

 

Katie Crane will be a mentor on Public Folklore at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Katie Crane is a PhD candidate in Folklore at Memorial University, analyzing the reasons why people in Newfoundland and Labrador are interested in the care for historic cemeteries. She holds an MA in Public Sector Folklore from Memorial University and has worked for museums and heritage organizations such as the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum, Heritage NL, and Admiralty House Communications Museum.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Speaker Introduction- Elsa Flack

Elsa Flack will be a speaker for our genealogy panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre. 

 Elsa Flack is a certified genealogist. For many years, she has provided genealogical research services. In 1987, the Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes awarded Elsa the professional designation, Certified Genealogist (Canada).  

Elsa has volunteered with several heritage organizations, including: the Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Portugal Cove – St. Philips Heritage Advisory Board, and the Town of Gaultois. She was also chairperson for “Peace by Piece - Quilted Memories of Newfoundland in the Great War”.

Elsa was the founding president of the Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, then called the Genealogical Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, for which she was inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007. 

She was the chair of the committee which created the exhibit "Peace by Piece - Quilted Memories of Newfoundland in the Great War". The project involved hundreds of volunteers who made this project successful. The exhibit was part of the commemorative events honouring the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. In 2016, this exhibit travelled extensively in the Province, as well as to France and Belgium, to the interpretation centres at the Somme and Vimy. The exhibit is an example of how people can tell important family history stories using textiles. Now the seventeen quilts are displayed throughout the campuses of Memorial University. 

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Meet Crystal Braye from Octopus Consulting!

Crystal Braye will be a mentor on Exhibit Design at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Crystal Braye is a Public Folklorist and Interpretive Planner with over a decade of experience helping to preserve and share the heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. She began her career at the Wooden Boat Museum in 2012, where she honed her skills in exhibit development, oral history documentation and interpretive writing. In 2020, she founded Octopus Consulting to collaborate with heritage organizations, municipalities, and tourism operators, offering services to help communities celebrate and share their unique cultural heritage.

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Meet Andrew Walsh!

Andrew Walsh will be a mentor on Volunteering/Being on a Board at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Andrew Walsh was born, raised, and is living in Cupids, Conception Bay North. Andrew is a historian with a passion for the unique history of his community, and of Newfoundland and Labrador in general. Throughout his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts at MUN, and Master of Letters from the University of Oxford, Andrew has remained closely involved with heritage in his community, primarily through his role as chair of St. Patrick's Parish Heritage Committee in Brigus. He loves to encourage others to get involved in their local heritage groups, as volunteering in that space improves both us and our communities. 

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Mentor Introduction- Megan Webb

Megan Webb will be a mentor on Volunteering/Being on a Board at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Megan Webb (she/her) is the Museum Manager at Admiralty House Communications Museum in Mount Pearl. She holds a both a Bachelors degree in Archaeology and a Masters degree in Folklore from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Megan has over a decade of experience working in the heritage industry through archaeology, archives, museums, folklore, and built heritage. Along with her educational background and work experience, Megan places significant importance in volunteering, especially for organizations within the heritage sector. She serves as the President of the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives, Treasurer of the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, and acts as the Chair and Historian/Archival expert on the Built Heritage Experts Committee for the City of St. John’s. Admiralty House Communications Museum is a partner of the Youth Heritage Forum and Megan is a mentor.

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator