NEWLAND, DAVID – is a writer, musician, speaker, and adventurer. His current project is Northbound: The Northwest Passage in Story and Song, a presentation & performance based on his travels to the Arctic. In November of 2015, David was named a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a distinction that reflects a lifelong engagement with landscape and story. Born in Ottawa, raised on the shores of Georgian Bay near Parry Sound, David crisscrossed Canada and travelled the world before settling in Cobourg, Ontario.
David spends summers travelling with Adventure Canada as a Zodiac driver, performer and host. He travels as a performer and speaker from coast to coast throughout the year. His musical presentation, Northbound: The Northwest Passage in Story and Song has been selling out venues across Canada throughout 2016, 2017, and 2018. David Newland gave the keynote for the 2017 Prime Minister John Turner Water and Environmental Leadership Award Gala. With his collaborators, Siqiniup Qilautu, in January 2018 he performed the opening night of the Polar Film Festival at the Explorer’s Club in New York City.
David Newland is an active supporter of ArtsCan Circle, Lester B. Pearson United World College, Green Wood Coalition, and many other causes. David served on the boards of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, Folk Music Ontario, and the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. David volunteers with the Northumberland Learning Connection programming committee and Supporting Performing Arts in Rural and Remote Communities.