The Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association (NONIA) was incorporated as a non-profit business in 1924 after being founded in 1920.  It was established to assist Newfoundland outport communities to access health services, by raising money from the sale of hand-knit garments to pay the salaries of public health nurses. In 1934 the health care portion of NONIA’s operation was taken over by the government but the industrial side was maintained and continues today in much the same tradition as when it was founded.

Today NONIA is a non-profit organization that is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and a staff of 4-6, depending on the season, at its retail location in St. John’s.  NONIA is a manufacturing and a retail operation and we employ approximately 175 knitters and weavers across the province.  They continue to produce NONIA’s well known hand-knit sweaters, socks, hats and mitts for infants to adults as well as woven placemats, runners, napkins and scarves.

NONIA is unique in a world that is catered to by mass produced and mass marketed goods a world of chain stores and global brands. Our products are hand-made by Newfoundland and Labrador women, in busy homes and lively kitchens around the province. Some of these women have been knitting and weaving for NONIA for over 50 years. We continue to recruit new knitters and weavers who supplement their family income through this traditional method.

The NONIA label is your assurance of high quality and customer satisfaction.  Each knitted garment is individually produced to exacting standards. A collection of our styles and colours is available on this website, or call and speak to our experienced staff about a special order. We welcome you to the tradition of NONIA and look forward to serving you!

These videos about NONIA tell more of the story….

• This delightful video was produced by Campaign for Wool Canada, and features one of our knitters: https://youtu.be/C822Ll_qnuk (4 minutes)
• This in-depth video is presented by Terry Bishop-Stirling, professor of History at Memorial University: https://youtu.be/iVjZ2IkDYZc (90 minutes)