Questions for Discussion

Prehistory

How long ago did the first people come to Labrador?

How do we find out about people who lived before we have written records?

Exploration and Early Settlement: 1000 AD-1832

How many different countries were part of the early exploration of Newfoundland? Find these countries on a map of the world.

Many places in Newfoundland and Labrador still have names given to them by some of these early explorers and fishermen. Using a map of the province, see how many names you can find that do not sound like English. Can you find out what languages these place names came from?

Populations are given for the years 1763, 1827, 1891, 1935, 1886 and 1991. Look at these figures. What is the population of Newfoundland today? What is the population of St. John's? What do these numbers tell us about how settlement proceeded in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Representative and Responsible Government: 1832-1933

What is the difference between Representative Government and Responsible Government? Is this an important difference? Why?

Commission of Government: 1934-1949

Why did the Commission of Government start?

The Commission of Government was different from the governments that came before and after it in one important way. What was that way?

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's Tenth Province: 1949-Onward

What are the most important changes that have happened in Newfoundland and Labrador since Confederation with Canada?