Portfolio of Sculptor Morgan MacDonald
SEPT 27, 2021 A new statue in St. John's celebrates the tradition of knitting in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 100 years of the group that helped turn yarn into income for outport women.
The bronze statue on the grounds of Government House marks the centenary of the Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association, which has had knitting at its core since its start in 1920.
NONIA was created to raise money for public health nurses in outport communities, selling knitted goods from knitters across the province. As time went on, and health care fell under government's purview, knitting for NONIA became a way for women to earn extra income to support their families.
That continues to this day, with some of the about 130 people who currently knit for NONIA on hand for the statue's unveiling Tuesday.
Florence Rose has been with the group for over 35 years, continuing a tradition of NONIA knitting passed on from her mother in Salmon Cove. She said it was a great experience to see the statue and share her love of knitting with others.
"It's really something you'll always remember," she said. "It's beautiful, really something."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nonia-100-years-knitting-statue-1.6189671