The Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment highlights September 19th, 2020 as a very significant historical date in the lives of the present Kalinago community on our island. This is because it marks the day that a small vulnerable indigenous group stood against the operatives of the colonial government ninety years ago.
In its truest sense, September 19th, 1930 is revisited and commemorated, in order to inform people of an occurrence where lives were lost, people brutalized and the sovereignty of the local indigenous leadership was infringed on.
Presently, there is an awareness that the historical facts surrounding that important date are rather simple and hinge on two salient points. First, inter-island trade by the Kalinago was deemed illegal by the colonial authorities, who claimed that the Kalinago had broken the established trade laws. The Kalinago on the other hand saw no illegalities, in an activity which was rooted in a tradition of free movement of people and goods done for generations, while being exempted from national taxation. Secondly, the authorities, without the support of proper documentation, executed illegal searches and confiscated what was coined „contraband goods‟.
The actions of the authorities were responded to with resistance in a similar manner to what was meted out on the Kalinago.
It must be emphasized that what was considered by the authorities to have been a case of civil disobedience by the Kalinago population, was a tradition deeply rooted in a philosophy now considered by our Caribbean leaders, and commonly referred to as the “free movement of people, goods and services” among Regional States. The Kalinago can rightly therefore claim the vision of present day Caribbean intellectuals and politicians embedded in ancient customs and practices handed down over generations.
Kalinago Week activities always surround the „Remembrance Day‟ of September 19th, 1930 and takes into consideration the sacrifices made by a resilient people in the face of external governance while also seeking to assert themselves as equal citizens of their adopted state. This is therefore a foremost fundamental characteristic of Kalinago culture and history that must be a cause for celebration.
Government remains a progressive partner which has contributed significantly to the improvement in the quality of life of the people. As Kalinago Week is being celebrated, all are encouraged to salute our Kalinago ancestry which is alive today in every aspect of our society.
