Monika Rumbolt is a true Labradorian. She is originally from Port Hope Simpson on the south coast of Labrador. Monika is a NunatuKavut member and is a proud knowledge holder of the traditional lifestyle and teaches the many components that make up the skills and historical stories that represent her people. She is also a skilled painter and writer. Both of these skills add an important piece to the delivery of her messages in her teaching efforts.
Recently she has initiated a photo series of local people and places that represent all sectors of the community of Labrador West and profiles conversations with people discussing the effects of the current strike with no particular agenda. The name of this project is “Of Iron and Steel.”
The conversation is directed to the human side of the strike and its effects on people and families. This dialogue and the photographs are compiled by her and posted on a Facebook page for review on this subject.
The response has been overwhelming from many sectors which have included views, comments and shares. In the first week there has been over 100,000 responses not only from local viewers but from across the country as well.
This page and its humble beginning have snowballed into a far bigger site of expression with many more components than were expected on its inception.
The original platform has resulted and grown into a vehicle which now includes a petition to update some of the old and outdated labour laws that currently exist in the province.
It has also evolved into an initiative to help protect valuable human resources starting locally and hopefully growing to include the entire province.
While the strike was the launch pad for these initiatives, Monika hopes it can continue in its current format after the strike is over to benefit the province’s workforce in a positive and proactive manner moving forward.
A process by which collective letters of support for all members of the work force from business owners, and other unions that are representing the overall workforce is coming together to show unity and strength in not only current but upcoming issues that affects the wellness of the community.
The creation of this page, starting as a photo series has become a community forum that has quickly grown into something so much bigger. This brainchild of Monika Rumbolt has quickly evolved into a vehicle that has provided many local folks and many from outside our region, some visibility into the thoughts and opinions of other people as well as a process by which they can express their own thoughts and concerns. It profiles our people and our concerns that are representing the human side of things, not just the corporate numbers and bottom lines.
Open dialogue and opinions are the heartbeat of communication which always gives us the visibility to view issues from all sides. Thanks to Monika Rumbolt for creating this grass roots forum for us all to share.
Editor’s note: The Aurora will be featuring some of Rumbolt’s series in upcoming editions.
