A few people people in Newfoundland and Labrador are getting agitated about the fact there’s a street in Nova Scotia called Newfie Lane.
For those who may not know, the word “newfie” causes huge problems among Newfoundlanders. Some – like your humble e-scribbler - have never heard it used except with some measure of insult attached to it. It’s the other N-word.
Others don’t mind it so much. The key thing to note here is that being from Newfoundland and all things associated with that are powerful symbols. Place is a big thing here. Identity is a big thing. The two go together.