Newfoundland, a windswept island off the North Atlantic, has a long rich cultural heritage derived from, but independent of its European past. First settled by English, Irish and French immigrants over 500 years ago, Newfoundland quickly became an overseas colony of great importance due to its abundant fish stocks. Centuries of warring between the English and French for dominance on the island gradually led to a blurring of cultures when control of the island was finally irrevocably settled in favor of the English forces. Several hundred years as the first British overseas colony bred a culture and a people who were neither quite Old World nor as willing to sever their European ties as were other North American colonies. Newfoundland became Britain's first colony to be granted independence as a Dominion in the British Empire and what followed was a rich period in history in which the peoples and cultures of many countries were imported to Newfoundland through immigration and its capital, St. Johns' status as a pre-eminent port city. Following World War II, Newfoundland suffered from a series of political and economic setbacks, which eventually led to its confederation with Canada in 1949. The referendum for Confederation was won by a margin of one percent and is still a highly contentious issue almost fifty years later. Indeed, Newfoundland's being the oldest settled colony in North America by a large margin has bred a people and way of life that is still an unique bridge between cultures and centuries.

Culturally and musically Newfoundland remains an incredibly distinct region. Its artistic history is of a people who were some of the first pioneers in North America. Five hundred years of multi-cultural influence have born an arts scene which is heavily influenced by the Celtic Europeans who settled the island but also very distinct from the Old World. Indeed, Newfoundland's music and art remains distinct from other Celtic European influenced and settled areas which lack both Newfoundland's long multi-cultural history and the independence born from physical isolation and long political separation.

The early 1970's saw a rediscovery of Newfoundland's long arts and culture history, which led to a renaissance in local music, writing and visual art. Stemming from a backlash against twenty years of sometimes-forced cultural integration with Canada, this artistic resurgence revived traditional art and re-invented it for a new time and circumstance. Once again the traditional music of the people was being sought out and for the first time it was moving out of the kitchens and onto a worldwide stage. At the forefront of this musical renaissance were artists like Pamela Morgan, Anita Best, and Figgy Duff who revived the art of the Oral History by learning the traditional songs directly from the older generations. Figgy Duff's efforts along with those of other artists in a variety of disciplines eventually brought Newfoundland's distinct brand of song, dance, story and visual art to the world. A dying art form was revitalized and it garnered the world's attention and respect for Newfoundland art as a genre unto itself.