March 24, 2009 -- St John’s, NL – ESRI Canada is delighted to join in the celebration of one of the country’s greatest historical figures – Captain Bob Bartlett. ESRI Canada is a proud sponsor of Celebrating Bartlett 2009, a year-long program that will present activities and symbolic events in honour of this North American icon. Hosted by the Historic Sites Association, the entertainment, exhibitions and virtual tours will resurrect the memory of one of the world’s most accomplished mariners, and commemorate the remarkable marine heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Bob Bartlett stands as a tribute to the pioneering spirit that is Newfoundland and Labrador and our need to understand our place in the global landscape,” remarks Cliff Roberts, Senior Account Manager, ESRI Canada. “It was not lost to Captain Bartlett that knowledge of the Arctic in its totality is essential to the welfare of our existence on this planet. I believe that he set out to satisfy not only his personal desire to know, but to share that knowledge with the world. Captain Bartlett could stand as an icon for a great deal of what we do here at ESRI Canada as our missions share a common vision.”
Robert Abram Bartlett (1875-1946) was a Newfoundland Arctic Explorer whose many accomplishments remain unparalleled in the history of Arctic exploration. He spent over 50 years mapping and exploring the waters of the Far North and led over 40 expeditions to the Arctic, more than anyone before or since. His famous Peary Polar Expedition took him closer to the North Pole than any other explorer in history, coming within only 150 miles. In recognition of this amazing feat, the National Geographic Society presented Bartlett with the Hubbard Medal – the society’s highest honour that has been awarded to only 33 other people in history, including Neil Armstrong.
As a leading supplier of geographic information system software (GIS), ESRI Canada is proud to take part in the commemoration of a Canadian hero who has made such significant advances in the field of geography. ESRI’s state-of-the-art software products provide location-based intelligence to visualize and analyze relationships, make connections and reveal patterns in support of informed decision-making. It is a natural fit for ESRI Canada to participate in the celebration of Bartlett who relied on little more than his exceptional navigational skills to explore, map and conquer the Far North.
The Historical Sites Association, a not-for-profit organization that presents the history of the province in partnership with Parks Canada, created Celebrating Bartlett 2009 to raise awareness of this once well-known explorer. Bartlett’s legacy will be enhanced through a series of events including a tour of the arctic schooner Bowdoin, one of only two remaining wooden arctic exploration vessels that will travel to ports all around the province. With the support of the Federal and Provincial governments, The Marine Institute will create a simulated arctic voyage and the Department of Education will develop materials for use in schools and public exhibits. A series of traveling exhibitions, arts programs, historical reenactments and symbolic ceremonies will round out the celebration.
"The public response to the Historic Sites Association's plans has been overwhelming," said Catherine Dempsey, Executive Director for the Association. "People from across the entire country are responding to Bartlett's story, and to the idea of celebrating his achievements. We are delighted and grateful that ESRI Canada has come on board as a corporate sponsor to help us get the story out."
Opening ceremonies for Celebrating Bartlett 2009 will take place in Brigus, Newfoundland on July 10th and 11th. For more information, please visit:
www.historicsites.ca , or
www.bartlett2009.com.
About the Historic Sites Association
The Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (HSA) is a volunteer, non-profit organization with a mandate to present the province's history and heritage. Formed in 1981, under the direction of a volunteer board of community leaders, the HSA works in partnership with Parks Canada, the HSA encourages full public enjoyment of Newfoundland culture as presented at the national historic sites. The HSA supports its work by operating Heritage Shops at eight National Historic Sites of Canada, and 4 other locations across the province. During the past 25 years, the HSA has invested over $3 million in heritage projects.
About ESRI Canada
Established in 1984, ESRI Canada is a Canadian owned company specializing in geographic information systems (GIS) solutions. ESRI Canada distributes the world's leading GIS software including solutions from ESRI Inc., Miner and Miner, I.S.M. International Systemap Corp. and Azteca. In order to provide organizations with complete industry-specific solutions ESRI Canada has established an extensive business partner program that includes more than 130 Canadian organizations. ESRI Canada also provides professional services including consulting, training, technical support, and enterprise GIS implementation. ESRI Canada is a leader in providing world-class enterprise GIS solutions for many industries including public works, land management, utilities, defence, public safety, business demographics, education, natural resources and transportation. ESRI Canada has sixteen regional offices across the country, with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit
www.esricanada.com or call 1-800-447-9778.
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Amanda Graff
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