09/02/2026
Draught and sled dog equipment, the cobbling of shoes and boots, horseshoeing, and the making of elaborate ceremonial arches have all been placed on an updated list of endangered crafts for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Find the Heritage NL Craft at Risk List 2026 at https://heritagenl.ca/programs/craft-at-risk/
The Heritage NL Craft at Risk List 2026 is designed to track changes in levels of local knowledge and to plan for the future. Concerned about the loss of traditional know-how, Heritage NL has been working to document crafts at risk and to encourage the sharing of heritage skills.
The Heritage NL Craft at Risk List 2026 features 82 crafts, 18 of which are listed as critically endangered. These include things such as draught and sled dog equipment, handbarrow and wheelbarrow making, and fish and seal oil pants. An additional 44 crafts are listed as endangered, while 16 crafts are listed as currently viable. Four crafts, including the recently listed celebratory arches, are listed as having become extinct in the last generation.
In 2026, The Rooms is showcasing Craft at Risk with a new exhibition in collaboration with Heritage NL. This exhibition runs from Fall 2026 to Fall 2027 and highlights some of the crafts from the Craft at Risk List. It shares items from the Rooms Collections, as well as the individuals keeping these traditions alive today. Throughout the fall, The Rooms and Heritage NL are also offering a series of three Craft at Risk workshops on basketmaking, rug hooking, and weaving.
“People in Newfoundland and Labrador have a long history of making with their hands,” says folklorist Dale Jarvis, Executive Director of Heritage NL. “But more than being just a part of our past, craft improves mental health, builds problem-solving skills, and connects us to authentic, sustainable skills for future community growth.”
“Heritage NL is dedicated to continuing this work, so future generations can continue to learn the crafts that shape our identity,” Jarvis adds.
