Honouring the Men of the “White Fleet” in Newfoundland
Every year in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a ceremony takes place that ties the Portuguese to the heart of Newfoundland. It is a ritual of respect...
Saturnia: The Ship of New Beginnings
In the spring of 1953, a group of Portuguese men gathered their few belongings, kissed their families goodbye, and stepped onto the Saturnia. For them,...
Pioneers: The Story of Manuel Fontes Maciel and Isilberta Silva
Manuel Fontes Maciel, born on September 1, 1932, in Terra do Pão on the island of Pico, was one of nine siblings. He worked on...
First Free African American in Canada May Have Been Portuguese
Mathieu da Costa is known as the first free black person to enter Canada. Many scholars assert that his background is African-Portuguese, although this allegation...
The First to Arrive – Celebrating Our Pioneers
The official start of the Portuguese immigration to Canada is May 13, 1953, when 69 men disembarked at Pier 21, in Halifax, onboard the ship Saturnia....
Terra Nova: A Story that Spans Over Centuries
For those who have done even minimal research into Portugal’s relationship with Newfoundland and Labrador, it is no secret that there is no certainty around...
First Portuguese-language newspaper in Canada
Jornal Luso-Canadiano, founded by Henrique Tavares Belo in 1959, was the first Portuguese-language newspaper in Canada. According to the website casacomum.org, it was an independent weekly...
Pioneers: An Old Bond Reignited by Family Ties
This is the story of two pioneers who, in 1954, met aboard a ship heading for Canada and later lost contact. They were reconnected by...
Pioneers: The Extraordinary Story of António Rodrigues
António Pereira Rodrigues was born on July 25, 1925, in the village of Ázere, Arcos de Valdevez. As a member of the Portuguese Navy, he...
Pioneers: Paying Tribute With A Book
By Devin Meireles My name is Devin Meireles and I am proud to embrace heritage and share this Portuguese thing of ours with my book!...