On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will embark on the 2025 Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage. This commemorative journey will include 100 students from across the province, representing a new generation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians committed to honouring the legacy of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
The pilgrimage will include solemn remembrance ceremonies at the five iconic Caribou monuments located in France and Belgium: Beaumont-Hamel, Masnières, Gueudecourt, Monchy-le-Preux, and Courtrai (Kortrijk). These sites mark the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s most pivotal and heroic engagements during the First World War.
In addition to these key locations, the delegation will visit other historically significant sites, including Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries throughout the region, Vimy Ridge, and the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. Significantly, the delegation will visit the D’Hondt family farm near Ledegem, Belgium, where Private Thomas Ricketts performed the valiant actions that earned him the Victoria Cross, and the memorial plaque in Masnières, France, recognizing Labrador Inuk war hero, John Shiwak, a highly respected sniper awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The 2025 program continues to prioritize inclusivity and representation from all regions of the province. The 5th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group has joined as a new partner, helping to connect the program with over 200 rural communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Building on last year’s successful collaboration, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation once again partnered with the Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation to include Indigenous youth in this meaningful experience.
The Trail of the Caribou Commemorations Program is a joint initiative between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Royal Canadian Legion – Newfoundland and Labrador Command, the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and the 5th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. Together, these partners are dedicated to preserving the memory of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and fostering a deeper understanding of its enduring legacy among today’s youth.
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“The Trail of the Caribou Pilgrimage is a powerful journey of remembrance and education – one that connects our youth with the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. By walking in the footsteps of those who served, these students will gain an appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today and the cost at which they were secured. This experience not only honours our past, it inspires a deeper sense of identity, gratitude, and civic responsibility in the leaders of tomorrow.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
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