Getting to know mayor Karen Oldford

CAREER NURSE and nurse practitioner Karen Oldford is now mayor of Labrador City, where she’s lived since 1986 when she moved from her native Torbay, near St. John’s, with her fiancé Glen, now her husband. A groundbreaker and volunteer all her life, Oldford was the first person outside of St. John’s to be elected secretary treasurer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses’ Union and the first nurse practitioner in Labrador City, a position she helped create. Saltscapes spoke with local hero Karen Oldford about lessons learned from her father, childhood illness and Labrador community spirit.

Q What was Torbay like when you were growing up there?

A We were baymen. It was a fishing-farming community, very close knit. My uncles are all fishermen. We had a family store—Roadside Convenience. We sold everything from nails to bologna that you cut up. Some liked it thick, some thin.

Q What was life like at the store?

A It was the community hangout where people came to tell stories—a great learning experience. There were people that were hurting; they would have a credit note at the store. Dad knew full well he would probably never get paid, but he wouldn’t see them go hungry. He was the food bank. Dad was a big time community volunteer. I follow in my dad’s footsteps.

Q You suffered from severe allergies as a child.

A I was allergic to fish and we lived in a fishing community. Mom couldn’t even have fish in the house. They limited my diet to pears and 7-Up. I had eczema that went with the asthma. From kindergarten to grade six, my hands were always wrapped. My exams were all oral because I couldn’t hold a pencil.

Q What was childhood like because of your fragile health?

A I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I could work an IV when I was 10. You learn to not pity yourself and move on. If you know things can be better, you have to fight for it. Eventually you will get what you need. Those experiences made me into the person I am today.

Q Did working as a nurse and nurse practitioner lead you to politics?

A My role as mayor was a natural progression because everything you need to stay healthy as a people is under the control of your municipal council—clean drinking water, recreation, sewage, safety, affordable housing. Truly, it’s primary healthcare at its finest.

Q How do you get away from the pressures of political life?

A We’ve got a cabin 45 kilometres outside of town. We’re right down in the middle of nothing. You can only access it by boat; Skidoo in winter. We’ve got 500 kilometres of groomed trails. It’s better than a highway. The wilderness in Labrador is pristine. You’ll see rabbits, fox and porcupine. We usually get off and have a boil-up somewhere in the woods.

Q What do you like most about living here?

A People stick together and are resilient. When we moved here, there was no road out. We were dependent upon each other. Your neighbours became your family. A lot of people didn’t have extended family networks. That’s changed. We’re seeing second and third generations staying here. I think that’s why people have that sense of community. It’s that close-knitness that has made it our home. We’re Labradorians by choice.