Getting to know Colleen Kennedy

She has helped turn Gros Morne National Park and its seven enclave communities into a major tourist destination. Norris Point, NL native Colleen Kennedy, now executive director of the Gros Morne Co-operating Association (GMCA), was hired as the association’s first employee in 1993 on a $15,000 contract.

Since then, she’s built the non-profit friends of Gros Morne National Park organization into a $1.2-million-per-year operation with 150 volunteers and more than 40 employees who oversee several marketing partnerships, run two training institutes, two stores, 50 kilometres of ski trail and a pool.

For her integrity, determination and remarkable ability to bring people together, she was recently named to the Order of Newfoundland. Saltscapes spoke to Colleen about returning to her roots, building a region and counting her blessings.

Q What do you think is the best thing about Gros Morne?

A There’s one spot I love: the Jenniex Lookout as you go into Norris Point. You look out over Bonne Bay and you see the Tablelands to one side and the two fjords. I’ve travelled quite a bit. It’s a spot that grounds me every time. It’s the nicest view I’ve ever seen.

Q Is it true you quit a permanent Parks Canada job in 1981?

A I quit to go to Toronto. I just needed to experience something else. We came back because of family in 1990. My husband’s from Rocky Harbour. His mom died. His dad was here alone.

We’re now living in the house his dad lived in. I became a mom and I wanted my child to grow up around family. You really don’t appreciate where you live until you live somewhere else and move back.

Q What about your own parents?

A We lost both of our parents in the past five years. My dad worked as a fisherman and a buyer. He owned construction equipment. He was a very sharp man, a man who breathed hard work and honesty with the most integrity of anybody I’ve ever met.

I think honesty and being up front is very important. I’m successful because I respect the people who work with me.

Q What do you consider to be GMCA’s greatest success?

A Our partnership with Memorial University. They had two saltbox houses in Norris Point. We tore out the buildings and built the Bonne Bay Marine Station. It has a brand new aquarium, touch tank, theatre and accommodations. It cost $3 million and became the anchor of the waterfront.

Since then, there are three new businesses at the waterfront, and a four-and-a-half-star inn. The other four-star inn doubled its capacity.

It’s become one of the hubs of the park. [Tourism] stabilizes our community. It means a business is going to stay open. It keeps people employed and living here.

Q What’s the greatest challenge you’ve ever had to face?

A I’m a survivor of breast cancer. I was diagnosed a year ago, finished my treatment in November and went right back to work.

The same day I found out I had cancer, I found out I was going to be a grandmother. I’ve had a lot of blessings in my life.