Saint Lucia 38 Independence Magazine 2017 by AMS St. Lucia

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Contents 6 National Pledge 6 National Anthem 6 Kwéyòl Version 7 Independence Message Prime Minister - Hon Allen M. Chastanet 8 Independence Message - Hon. Lenard Montoute 10 Independence Message - Sen. Fortuna Belrose 12 I Am Saint Lucia The Journey Continues 16 8 Prime Ministers in 38 Years 18 5 Governors General in 38 Years 20 New Constituency Councils to Manage Our Towns and Communities 22 Connections 23 July 14th: The Occasion to Celebrate “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”, between Saint Lucians and French! 24 Climbing the National Symbols of Saint Lucia 28 38th Independence Anniversary Celebrations 28 Celebrating Our Nation 30 Prayer, Praise and Worship Celebration 32 A Royal Night of Black, Yellow, Blue and White 34 Prime Minister’s Grand Independence Ball 36 Independence Investiture Awards 2017 38 National Colours Day Explodes in Castries 40 Helping Helen: Redefining Saint Lucian Independence 42 Ah ... The Infinite Joy of Being Saint Lucian 43 Nobel Laureate Festival 2017 43 Jamaica Kincaid Praises - Sir Derek Walcott 44 Tribute To Derek Walcott - Words: For Derek at 87 Celebrating Our Sons and Daughters 46 Sir Leton Thomas 48 Joan Devaux 49 Marie Grace Augustin 50 Sports Take Centre Stage National Sports Awards 2017 54 Miss Independence: Queen of Queens 56 Best of St. Lucia 58 Walking for Independence 59 Youth in Culture —YouthSpac Overseas St. Lucia Groups 60 New York City Independence 38 Gala An Elegant Night of Awards and Celebrations 61 ‘Helenites’ Celebrates Independence In Washington DC 62 UK Saint Lucians Celebrate 38th Independence 64 Independence Celebrations in Toronto Tributes to Sons of Saint Lucia 66 Sir Dwight Venner 67 Chris Renwick 68 Cyril Matthew Happy 38th Independence | 3

Editor’s Note and Credits In the year 2017, We proudly celebrate Saint Lucia’s 38th Independence Anniversary under the theme “WE ARE SAINT LUCIA” with a new Government in Office led by our 8th Prime Minister – Hon. Allen Chastanet and the hope that he and his Government will deliver continued economic progress and further development of Saint Lucia for the benefit of her sons and daughters. Government and NGOs have combined their efforts to ensure that a number of events have been planned and executed arousing the patriotism of our people across all communities as they participate in the many activities held island wide and across the Saint Lucian diaspora. The celebrations started with the hosting of the first ever “Nobel Laureates Festival” celebrating the achievements of our two iconic Nobel Laureates in Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott and this year featured the famed Caribbean artist Jamaica Kinkaid delivering the much anticipated Sir Derek Walcott Lecture. The 38th Independence Anniversary Celebrations took center stage at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground at Beausejour, Gros Islet with the hosting of the official Military Parade with all of its pomp and ceremony and with Government officials and the Diplomatic Corps in attendance. The highlight of our 2017 Celebrations was the Annual National Independence Awards hosted by Her Excellency, Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy where we honoured and celebrated a number of our citizens for their contributions to nationhood and for their exceptional and outstanding service of national importance to Saint Lucia. The first ever Prime Minister’s Grand Independence Ball was a new and welcome addition as a charitable fund raiser for the Upton Garden Girls Centre. The event was well attended attracting an audience decorated with our national colours. Our Saint Lucian brothers and sisters in the Diaspora were also sharing their pride and commitment to country with major celebrations being held across the United States, Canada and London. This colourful glossy Magazine which we publish annually continues to capture the spirit of Saint Lucia and the pride of our people as we celebrate our annual Independence Anniversary and nationhood. We trust that you will enjoy perusing the pages of our 2017 Independence Magazine as we continue to feature the images and stories reflecting the many proud moments and events hosted as we celebrate under the theme “WE ARE SAINT LUCIA”.

Saint Lucia’s 38th Anniversary of Independence Magazine Published by Advertising & Marketing Services Ltd. in association with the Government of Saint Lucia

Publisher / Managing Editor:

Lokesh Singh (lokesh@amsstlucia.com)

Editorial Contributors:

Graphic Designer:

Tannel George | Carlisle Searles

Advertising Sales:

Cennette Flavien - cennette@amsstlucia.com Cleopatra Jules - cleo@amsstlucia.com

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Webmaster:

Advertising & Marketing Services Ltd.

Photography:

Cover Photo: Youth S.P.A.C. Credits:

We thank the Sponsors, Contributors and every one who have made a contribution to this magazine. The Publisher and Staff of AMS take this opportunity to wish the Governor General, Prime Minister, Government and People of Saint Lucia a Peaceful and Prosperous 38th Independence Anniversary.

Editorial, Advertising, Design & Production: Advertising & Marketing Services P.O. Box 2003, Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: (758) 453-1149; Fax: (758) 453-1290 email: ams@candw.lc

Reproduction of any material contained herein without written approval, constitutes a violation of copyright. © Advertising & Marketing Services Ltd. Castries, Saint Lucia April 2017

On The Cover:

Youth SPAC Dancers in National Dress performing at the Belle Festical as part of Saint Lucia’s 48th Independence Aniversary Celebrations

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National Pledge National Anthem National Pledge / National Anthem / Kweyol Version

With God as my guide, I pledge allegiance to my country, Saint Lucia. I proclaim that I will serve my country with pride and dignity, and will defend it with vigour and valour, in the pursuit of excellence, justice and equality for all.

KwéyÓl Version Sons and daughters of Saint Lucia, love the land that gave us birth. Land of beaches, hills and valleys, fairest isle of all the earth. Wheresoever you may roam, love, oh love, our island home

Fi èk fis, manmay Sent Lisi Chéwi péyi nésans-nou Péyi montany, lans èk valé Pli bèl lil ki asou late! Nenpòt plas nou vwayajé Toujou chéwi lil natal-nou

Gone the times when nations battled for this Helen of the West. Gone the days when strife and discord, dimmed her children’s toil and rest. Dawns at last a brighter day, stretches out a glad new way.

Sa pa tan nasyon bat ladjè Pou bèlté Élenn nou-an Sa pa tan wivòt èk konba Té twoublé lavi nou tout Mètnan, syèl-la éklèsi An lawout nèf ouvè pou nou

May the good Lord bless our island; guard her sons from woe and harm. May our people, live united, strong in soul and strong in arm. Justice, truth and charity, our ideals forever be.

Dyé, Senyè, benni péyi-nou Pwotéjé’y kont tout malè Fè nou viv ansanm an lapé Fè nou fò an kò é lam Endé nou tjenn kon pwensip Jistis, Lamou, Lavéwité!

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Prime Minister Independent Message - Prime Minister - Hon Allen M. Chastanet

‘WE ARE SAINT LUCIA’ Message by Prime Minister Honourable Allen M. Chastanet on the Occasion of Saint Lucia’s 38th Independence Anniversary

Hon. Allen M. Chastanet

My dear Saint Lucians I bid you Happy Independence 2017 and urge you all to fly your Saint Lucia flags high and wear our national colours with pride. As we mark 38 years of being an Independent Nation, it is important for us as a people to recognize how far we have come and how much we have achieved. It came with much hard work and determination, and it was not achieved by a few but by the collective spirit of all Saint Lucians. It is therefore our responsibility to continue the building of our nation in order to secure a better future for this generation and those to come. We should at all times dream of creating a more resilient, progressive and peaceful Saint Lucia where we can all benefit. We are still a relatively young nation, and with the spirit of fair Helen that permeates throughout this land, there is still time for us to put Saint Lucia on a trajectory to success. This will require us to be innovative and take bold steps, together. With faith and a belief in our vision, Saint Lucia will rise again. My Government has strategic development goals for this country which can change the course of our destiny as a people. Our aim is to create economic growth by increasing investment and providing opportunities for sustainable jobs and the creation of a flourishing entrepreneurial culture. We need the help of all Saint Lucians in order to make these essential strides. As we mark 38 years of independence, I call on all Saint Lucians to join me and my government as we create a better Saint Lucia for us all. Let us come together, not just at Independence time, but always and remember “We are all Saint Lucia!”

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Honourable

Independence Day Message

Lenard Montoute

Independence Message - Hon. Lenard Montoute

Minister for Equity, Social Justice & Empowerment Salutation: I will start by sharing a story with you of a boy who exactly 38 years today wanted so desperately to witness the raising of the St. Lucia flag which signaled our new status as an independent nation. He lived in a village away from Castries where that ceremony was being held. His protective mother would not consider the idea of allowing him to go to Castries. Then the last of the handful of buses stopped travelling before sunset, there was no live television coverage, no internet of course. So that boy regrettably had to settle for a much smaller ceremony held in his village to mark this milestone. He was disappointed and sad, because he knew the significance of that moment and wanted to tell his children and grandchildren that he was there when it happened. Sadly he missed the moment, but he did not miss its relevance. It was many years later when I saw the grainy footage of the ceremony he so desperately wanted to witness. Today the then boy - now a man - stands addressing you at an independence rally. I am humbled by this opportunity to address you. I related this story not as a statement of personal stride but to point out to you that in years to come, some of you listening to me today will be in such positions and higher. So you must prepare for it, because the demands may be even more daunting, than they are today. Witness how times have changed. 38 years ago I could not get to see the raising of our flag, today my address here can be seen and heard in all corners of the globe and even in Space in real time, if the scientists on the International Space Station care to listen. What will it be like when your turn comes to take over the mantle of guiding and guarding our nation. That is largely for your creative minds to decide, and I hope that you young St. Lucians do not become mere observers in this technological revolution but rather be active participants helping to shape the changes, to ensure that though small in population and geography we are competitive and relevant on the World stage. This desire for World Class standards should not be confined to technology, but be broadened to include sports, arts and entertainment, commerce, the environment and the quality of life in general. Happy 38th Independence | 8

The digital divide has diminished, and this has very significant implications for you the youth. It means that my son who is studying in United States has no notable advantage over my daughter who is being schooled here in St. Lucia as far as access to information on the Web. That is a leap of a lifetime. You must make the diminished difference count. Those among us who excelled to international standards did not do so by settling for second. They excelled at a time when there was a huge gulf in access to literature, facilities and opportunities between the developed and developing nations such as ours. They had to break down barriers of race, class and colour. This did not stop for example, The Hon. Derek Walcott excelling to the point where he was described by no less a person than Robert Graves as one of the chief exponents of the English Language, with a better understanding of its inner magic than most if not any of his English born contemporaries. That accolade before he was fifty years old. There are St. Lucians here and abroad who have scaled the heights of their profession or chosen field becoming truly World Class. They were focused and not fazed by criticism or the apparent limitations of their situations. How much more can you this generation, achieve with all of what is at your disposal today. For those of you who will venture overseas to seek your fortune, do not forget the land that gave us birth. Let us honour it in all we do. Continue to contribute to its development and welfare. Continue to be St. Lucia. The new technologies have the good, the bad and everything in between. I urge you to use the internet to develop yourself to become competitive in today’s World, to be a better student a better informed citizen. Do not be a slave to technology, rather let it be your servant. Do not be sidetracked by its distractions.

I am reminded of the words of the American spiritual “Old Time Religion” I am not selling old religion or any religion for that matter at least not now, but I am simply saying that the old values that worked for many generations past should not be thrown away so easily. As Brother George Odlum would constantly caution, “Do not throw out the baby with the bath water.” Sadly, I think as a society, we have done just that. In our maddening quest to modernize, do not think for a moment that I do not like modernity and the possibilities it presents but without much thought, we have rid ourselves of some of the timeless values that served us very well for a very long time. Crucially many of those values are still very relevant today. Yes today we celebrate 38 years of independence, a hugely significant landmark on our developmental journey. Before we got to that point our people had to endure years of hardship and struggle. Their principles and values are what got them through. If you are to succeed in these challenging times you must be principled and disciplined. Yes today you require new skills but you also need the old values. Honesty will never be old-fashioned, hard work will always be an asset, dependability will never be irrelevant, cooperation will always be vital. Carry them with you in your life’s tool box, they are invaluable. As you seek to acquire some of the new skills that life today demands, take those timeless virtues with you, they will serve you well. I would like to suggest that you embrace two other qualities. One is a commitment to be the best that you can be. Be the best student that you can be, the best worker that you can be, the best parent or child that you can be. Be the best businessperson that you can be. With that attitude we will be making St. Lucia the best that it can be. AFTER ALL YOU ARE ST LUCIA! The other is gratitude, show some gratitude towards your parents for the sacrifices that they make, to the teacher who goes beyond the call of duty, to the many men and women who strive way above their stated responsibility out of concern for others. They can be found all over this young nation of ours. We should never forget those upon whose shoulders we seek to stand, those who toiled tirelessly to make independence possible. Let us honour their memory by building firmly on their foundation. That journey that brought us to independence began generations ago and continues as our nation develops. We need to maintain the high standards set by those preceding us. It is too easy to say “Boss man nothing ent running.” Well, get up and make a push to make things run.

money as his initial motivator the World would probably never have had Microsoft, the same can be said of Face Book, Apple and Whatsapp. Each of those companies has more money than many countries put together. So the lesson, think of service first. Another quality that plagues us is short termism. Everyone wants it now. Nobody wants to plant the corn but everyone wants to raid the barn. So a worker would do a fast shoddy job for quick payment forgetting that he may never get a job from that person again. Life is more akin to a marathon than a one hundred meter dash. I now invite you to make the following pledge. From this day forward: I will be the best that I can be. I will be polite and respectful to everyone. I will be respectful and protective of our physical environment. I will not resort to violence in solving conflict. I will help those who are weaker or less fortunate. I will show gratitude to my teachers, parents, coaches and all those who contribute to my development. I will seek creative solutions to problems rather than simply complain. I am St. Lucia. In a sense success is not a destination but a journey. Likewise we should not see independence merely as an event but rather as a giant step in the St. Lucian Odyssey or journey. I am sure some of you have heard this poem. “The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flights But they, while their companions slept Were upward toiling in the night.” So on this our 38th anniversary of independence it is an ideal time for you, and for St. Lucia to turn a corner on this journey. Each one of us committing to honour the sacrifices of those before us, by giving of our best every time, by building step by patient step towards our goal, by shunning violence, by standing up for what that is right, by daring to aim high even when everything seem down. Let us research and remember the many men and women who forged the foundation of this nation. They had little to go by, but a quenchless quest to make things better for themselves and future generations. You are this future generation, and soon and very soon you will be piloting this ship of ours as it makes its way through the sometimes rough and treacherous international waters.

I must applaud the young people who have taken steps to run things. Some of the young people engaged in start ups, those manufacturing products, those sacrificing to learn a trade or retrain themselves. Just last week, a young man manufacturing soap was highlighted on television. There are others as well, struggling to start business ventures with little more than sweat equity and a vision. We as a government and a society must identify such endeavors and explore new ways of supporting them.

“Be prepared.” So says the scouts’ motto. If you are prepared, and I have confidence that you will be, this beloved nation of ours will prosper. You will make us proud. The heroic struggles of generations past would not be in vain. You would mold this country into what we know it can be, a progressive, peaceful and prosperous nation.

Stop looking for a boss man, be the boss man. Be the boss man that you are looking for. Do not put money first. If Bill Gates had

HAPPY 38TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY!!

I am St. Lucia so are you!!!

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Senator Fortuna Belrose Independence Message - Fortuna Belrose

Address by Senator the Honourable Fortuna Belrose on the Occasion of the Launch of the 38 Independence Anniversary Celebrations Sons and daughters of Saint Lucia, it is the thirty-eight anniversary of our Independence. As I say thirty-eight (38), many thoughts are racing through my mind. And I trust that you too, will engage in your own reflection on what this significant occasion means. As citizens of fair Helen, we must all be concerned about where our country is, where it is headed, and most importantly the role that we each must and can play in keeping it on track. For us Saint Lucians .... the proud children of Jn Baptiste Bido, Flore Guyah, George Charles, Sir Arthur Lewis, Sir Allen Louisy, George Odlum, Sir John Compton, Dame Sesenne Descartes, Sir Dwight Venner and oh Yes Roderick and Sir Derek Walcott, Independence is a time when we Unite. When we put our differences aside, and focus, on the things that make us unique and hard core Lucian. The things we share, the things we care about, the things we are passionate about. Like striving against all odds to be the best that we can be; being leaders and not mere followers; giving of our self to help others; providing for our families; and sharing the little that we have with our neighbour. Above all, respecting each other, and holding on to the old adage, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. It is these basic values of caring, loving, sharing and giving that helps us define our Saint Lucianess. And it is those very attributes we need to propel our country forward....as they keep us in a constant proactive state, ever conscious of our space and focussed on achieving greatness. The reality is some of us are not in that place where peace and tranquillity reign supreme. For many there is chaos and disharmony. For those who may feel disconnected, this is the time for rethink on what being Saint Lucian truly is. This year under the chairmanship of Mr. Donovan Williams we have created an abundance of opportunities for you to engage, to learn and get the right orientation about US Lucians ...about our history and our heritage as a people... so that you can truly evaluate where you are and rethink how you can become meaningfully involved in the development of your country. Our program covers events and activities across the length and breath of the country catering to families’ communities and organisations. I therefore challenge every Saint Lucian to let your passion for country (that place that gave you birth), reverberate across fair Helen during the celebrations. We participate because it’s your right, it’s your business and it’s your opportunity to make a statement as a Saint Lucian who want to be counted. A proud one at that. You see, to move Saint Lucia we all must act and there is no better time than now. Our celebrations this year was underpinned by a focus on spirituality. Recognising the supremacy of God our creator, maker and our friend. And that we can only celebrate 38 years because of his goodness and mercy towards us. I also wish to NOTE that: This year’s celebration coincides with two other important milestones: 50th anniversary of the flag which was designed by Dunstan St. Omer ...on the attainment of statehood in 1967...and the 50th anniversary of the elevation of Castries to a city. This provides us with an opportunity to infuse these two within our overall celebrations and our learning. As you know our government recently established an Events Company to oversee the organization and delivery of all major national events and festivals. It was too soon to include Independence in its portfolio of events this year – but the organization of the independence activities will certainly as of next year, benefit from the resource base of that entity. The institution will also have more time to engage and prepare which will ultimately impact on the quality of the product. The key to the successful delivery of our independence program this year is the extent to which you our citizens and your representative organizations participate in the celebratory activities planned. I urge you all to embrace the celebrations as it is OURS. Let us participate – let us make it relevant – Let us enjoy it!!! Happy 38th Independence | 10

Bank of Saint Lucia

Happy 38 Independence Anniversary Saint Lucia

The Board, Management & Staff of Bank of Saint Lucia are proud to join in the celebration of 38 Years of Saint Luciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independence. LIKE US ON: FACEBOOK.COM/BANKOFSAINTLUCIA WWW.BANKOFSAINTLUCIA.COM

“I am Saint Lucia” I Am Saint Lucia The Journey Continues

The Journey Continues By: Dr. Gregor Williams In today’s wider world many of us question the capabilities, motives and performance of those who decide to lead, serve or control us. We face the same problems locally as others do in other countries of the world. In our case some of us see the country descending into a state of tribalism, with tribal warfare between the tribes as well as within the tribe. African tribalism and tribal wars resulted in the practice and establishment of Atlantic slavery. Today we call our tribes parties, and practices in governance modern party politics. This is not much different from old-style tribalism. This state of affairs did not always exist. The first big battle between the Kalinago (Caribs) and Europeans (English) in the southern Caribbean, took place in St. Lucia in 1605. The English were again chased away in 1641 and the French in 1654. The island was disputed over and contested between the British and French for over 140 years. Although not the most fought over island, Tobago and St. Eustatius have that honour, St. Lucia changed hands reputedly fourteen times. There were not fourteen battles, but there were eight military engagements and two protracted guerrilla wars against the British. Beyond this, the island and its people were involved in some way or other in every major European war between 1754 to 1945, especially those involving France and England. Within the slave systems people resisted the dehumanising practices of the owners. Names and histories of some of them survived, and are recorded and known today. In our region of the world, each island has its own story in the struggles for human dignity, freedom, civic and political rights. Each island’s history is different, and some stand out more than others. Although St. Lucia was not the most fought over island, the history of fighting and rebellion in and over St. Lucia is impressive. The first combined naval and military battle of the American War of Independence was fought in St. Lucia at Cul-de-Sac and Vigie. Rodney Bay was the staging area for the last naval battle of that war. The story of Haiti (formerly St. Domingue and Santo Domingo) is well known. The achievement of half a million slaves in rebellion changed the history of the Americas and the then western world. They rose to prominence during the period of the French Revolution, when the slogans “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” rocked France, Europe and the French Caribbean. Next to Haiti, St. Lucia had the longest period of fighting for “liberté” during the period of the French Revolution. The characters include both men and women, and their stories exist all over the Caribbean in former slave regimes. In St. Lucia four major battles took place during the French Revolutionary period, from 1794 to 1796 between the British and the French and two protracted guerrilla wars between 1794 and 1797. There were four slave rebellions in 1791, 1793, 1794 and 1796. Under French Republican colours, free people of colour, maroons (neg mawon) and freed slaves joined against the British who supported the slave system. From St. Lucia we have Marin Pedre, Marinier, Jn. Baptiste Bideau, Flore Bois Gaillard and Rose “Toto” Marthe . Happy 38th Independence | 12

Inniskilling Monument at Morne Fortune To answer the question “Who are you? St. Lucia’s renowned poet wrote in “The Schooner Flight,” I have Dutch, nigger, and English in me, and either I’m nobody, or I’m a nation, Derek Walcott, poem, “The Schooner Flight” How about the rest of us? Is the nation the people or are the people the nation? Nevertheless, Walcott stated and the statement is memorialized on the inscription to a bust of him in the Derek Walcott Square, Castries,

Sir Derek Walcott and young Saint Lucians moi c’est gens Ste Lucie. C’est la moi sorti Is there that I born” Monument to Derek Walcott, Derek Walcott Square, Castries…

We may not all be Dutch, but we are Amerindian, French, English nigger, and East Indian. Nigger too! During the days of the slavery the word “nègre” (neg in creole) was used by the French to describe black-skinned people from Africa. The official Code Noir that institutionalized slavery in the French colonies is titled,” “Code Noir concernant esclaves nègres de l’Amérique”. We have preserved the word neg in our culture in terms like neg mawon, ti-neg and vyé neg. Why does the Government choose “I am St. Lucia” as its theme for this year’s 38th Anniversary of Independence celebrations? The name Lucia for the island started with the first Spanish

adventurers to the Caribbean. It is still not certain who first gave it that name. Nevertheless, the name appeared in the Royal Spanish Cedula of December 23rd 1511 as Sancta Lucia, nineteen years after the first voyage of Columbus. Other spellings have surfaced in the historical record, Sancta Lucia, Sainte Alousie, Saint Luzia, Sainte-Lucie, Saint Lucia, and Sent Lisi

“I am St. Lucia” could mean that we the people are the nation. Each Caribbean island has a common, but also separate history. However, we can boast that ours is special. The geographic location, the geography, the people and history have combined to make the place special. Admittedly, these are common aspects of the islands, yet St. Lucia’s location in the southern Caribbean and its location between the first two important sugar islands Martinique and Barbados determined its particular strategic and military importance. In every one of the colonial contests mentioned, people of the island became involved. White planters, free people of colour, freed slaves and runaway slaves (neg mawon) joined fighting French forces. This continued until the last battle in 1803. St. Lucians up to then always fought on the side of the French. However, St. Lucia accepted itself as a British colony from 18141979. The British, during their colonial occupation from 1803 to 1979, had to deal with revolts and strikes over governance, land, labour and wages. Nevertheless, we were patriotic Britons and volunteered to serve in the British forces in the First and Second World Wars. The last immigration was of East Indians, between 1859 and 1900. Towards the end of the century, St. Lucians began to emigrate. Beginning in 1882, as many as four thousand St. Lucians migrated to work building the Panama Canal with Martiniquans and Guadeloupeans under the French. This migration continued when the Americans took over the project. St. Lucians have dug for gold in the Guianas, cut cane in the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the United States. We worked in the oil fields of Venezuela, and the refineries of Aruba and Curaçao. We joined the migration of West Indians to Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. But always we are St. Lucians.

fighting to re-enslave St. Lucian slaves, who had been freed fighting alongside the French. Although the British victors honoured those ex-slaves they were fighting against, we have not found it possible to erect a monument ourselves to honour our soldiers and heroes who fought under French Republican colours. What was recommended to the government to be a monument of resistance to those defending a freedom that they had won, was turned into an Emancipation Monument. This monument, built at considerable cost, sits hidden in a government storeroom somewhere. A minister of government stated recently that “it is passing strange that politicians only honour each other in death,” July 12, 2016. The Independence monument, an earlier project, designed and promoted with much fanfare, lies dormant with the stored files of the Office of the Prime Minister. We need monuments honouring those who have made significant contributions to our people and nation, not only politicians. Where is the Heroes Monument and the Heroes Park we spent so much time organizing? We do not celebrate Heroes Day, which was established by the Government, neither have we been observing Emancipation Day in any meaningful way. St. Lucians can be proud of what their ancestors accomplished in the fight for human dignity, civic and political rights and accomplishments in many fields all over the world. This pride should be celebrated. Whereas politicians plead, beg or make cases for reparations, they are in the process of selling or giving way what can be regarded as some form of reparation, our seabed, Crown lands, Queen’s chain and beaches. Are these not part of the reparation which we should regard as inalienable legacies? Sovereignty resides in the body of the nation and belongs to the people, who in turn delegate it to their governments. Government officials are therefore trustees of our heritage. Disbursement of the legacy cannot be left to politicians and foreign developers. Walcott ends his Nobel Laureate Acceptance Speech in 1992, with a reminder and a caution, The Caribbean is not an idyll, not to its natives. They draw their working strength from it organically, like trees, like the sea almond or the spice laurel of the heights. Its peasantry and its fishermen are not there to be loved or even photographed; they are trees who sweat, and whose bark is filmed with salt, but every day on some island, rootless trees in suits are signing favourable tax breaks with entrepreneurs, poisoning the sea almond and the spice laurel of the mountains to their roots. A morning could come in which governments might ask what happened not merely to the forests and the bays but to a whole people”. Like my grandmother used to say “La wout se tje.”

Where does the journey take us from here? As concerns of the population mount over unemployment, deteriorating social service provision, human relations, crime, and cynicism about government, we worry about the future, especially that of our young students. Whereas there are outstanding performances by some students, questions are being asked about the quality of education provided in some areas. [How do we learn to think about ourselves?] St. Lucia is one of the few countries that does not teach the nation’s history in its schools. Civics is not taught at any level. We do not have a public museum or art gallery. Where are our monuments? The best-known monument, the Inniskilling Monument, was erected by the British to honour a regiment in an army that was

Saint Lucia’s World War II Veterans Happy 38th Independence | 13

Monuments

Great Men And The Silence Of The Seas By: Winston Phulgence

When American author Toni Morrison won a prize for her literary work Beloved, in her acceptance speech she lamented that in the United States, she could find no place or “bench by the roadside” to reflect on the horrors and legacies of slavery, an aspect of American history which at the time was silenced in the nation’s historical narrative. This effectively rendered the people who had helped create the foundation of the nation invisible. Saint Lucian poet Sir Derek Walcott, Nobel Laureate, in his collection of poems Star Apple Kingdom asked “Where are your monuments, your battles, martyrs? Where is your tribal memory? Sirs, in that grey vault. The sea. The sea has locked them up. The sea is History.” Like Morrison in the United States, Walcott could find nothing in the landscape which marked this history. Slavery was foundational in the creation of what we refer to as Saint Lucia, and the Caribbean, today. Since the 1980s several nations in the region have erected monuments to memorialize this aspect of their history. In Guyana there is the Cuffy statue which memorialises the 1763 Berbice Rebellion. In Barbados the Bussa statue commemorates the 1816 slave rebellion. In Antigua Prince Klaas, the chief conspirator of a compromised slave rebellion plot, was memorialized with a statue erected during independence celebrations in 1993. Emancipation Park in Jamaica commemorates the ending of slavery with the Redemption Song monument. In Saint Lucia we still have no bench by the roadside on which to sit and contemplate the impact and legacies of our history. The Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea remain the repositories of this aspect of our history. To understand this omission, we need to look at the public monuments which have been installed as markers of history. The first public monument to be erected in Saint Lucia was the Inniskilling Monument, which was erected at Morne Fortune by officers of the British Navy in the 1930s on a visit to Saint Lucia. If one were to visit the monument and read the inscription on the plaque on the obelisk which is at the center of the monument one would notice that the monument is commemorating a British Army Regiment for which it is named. This regiment had invaded Saint Lucia as part of a much larger British invasion force which had been sent to recapture the island from the French. Happy 38th Independence | 14

Sir John Compton The Inniskilling Regiment had defeated a battalion of formerly enslaved Africans who had held Morne Fortune for the French to maintain their freedom from slavery, which was under threat by the British invasion. In short they were fighting to prevent reenslavement of Africans and African descendants on the island. These men and women had fought bravely to maintain what we now consider a fundamental human right, but Saint Lucians and others who visit Morne Fortune are only reminded that a British Regiment of Irish origins won the battle which gave them control of Saint Lucia and reinstituted slavery. One of these “times” on which the island changed hands. Another monument is the Cenotaph on the Derek Walcott Square which commemorates the contribution of Saint Lucians to the British war effort in the First and Second World Wars. This monument was built before independence and it is a commemoration of the colonial relationship between Saint Lucia and Great Britain. These men and women from the colonies served in the military of the “mother” country to protect the values of

freedom and democracy which were the foundation of the British Empire. They gave their lives for the cause. This marker, in the centre of the capital city of Castries, is a memorial to their lives and work on behalf of Great Britain.

Jean Baptiste Bideau

Simon Bolivar

A few blocks away, in Bideau Park on Laborie Street, there are busts of Simon Bolivar, the Great Liberator and father of independence for Venezuela and much of South America, and Jn Baptiste Bideau, a Saint Lucian born privateer who is believed to have played a major role in Bolivar’s anticolonial revolution in Venezuela. These busts were erected during the 1980s financed by the government of Venezuela. These monuments commemorate the lives of these men who are revered as freedom fighters. Before these busts were erected Saint Lucian knew very little about Bolivar and almost nothing of the life and work of Jn Baptiste Bideau. When they were erected into the landscape Bideau was described in the Weekend Voice as a “great St Lucian who fought hand in hand with Bolivar”. The busts ensure that their fight for freedom and liberation from colonialism is remembered. In the early 2000s busts of two Saint Lucians, Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott were erected in Derek Walcott Square in Castries, to commemorate their achievement of winning Nobel Prizes in their respective fields. Sir Arthur Lewis received the Nobel Prize for economics in 1979, the year of Saint Lucian independence, and Sir Derek Walcott won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. These sons of the soil are celebrated today as national heroes and the monuments remind those who see them of the achievements which have been claimed as national achievements and are sources of great national pride. A bust of Sir George F L Charles stands in front of the airport named for him. He started his trade union activities while working as a time keeper during construction of the airport. He was instrumental in the early independence movement in Saint Lucia, through his work in the trade union movement which challenged the status quo for workers during that time. He eventually became leader of the St Lucia Labour Party and went on to become Chief Minister.

Sir Arthur Lewis

Sir John Compton, the person who lead Saint Lucia into independence, was commemorated with a statue to memorialize his contribution to national development and his role as leader of the nation. This monument, unveiled during independence celebrations in 2014, ensures that Sir John and his legacies are enshrined into the landscape of the capital city of Castries.

Sir Derek Walcott

Sir George Charles Since independence in 1979 the number of monuments has increased and these monuments commemorate great men as national heroes and ensures that their contributions and legacies remain part of national memory and in the national consciousness. We still have no “benches” on which to mourn or commemorate men and women who toiled for centuries to provide the foundation for the nation. After thirty eight years of independence, the memory of our martyrs, those who fought to maintain freedom and humanity against considerable odds, remain locked in the grey vault that is the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. As we continue to mature as a nation the memories must be unlocked and the history of the people must be manifested in the landscape that is Saint Lucia. Happy 38th Independence | 15

8 Prime Ministers in 38 Years

8 Prime Ministers in 38 Years St. Lucia‘s first Prime Minister was Sir John George Melvin Compton, who assumed the position at Independence on February 22nd, 1979. He served in that position until July 2nd 1979, when his ruling United Workers Party (UWP) lost the General Elections of that year to the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP). The second Prime Minister of St. Lucia was Sir Allen Louisy, who replaced Sir John and remained in office until 1981, when his government lost a ‘No Confidence Motion’ in Parliament and he resigned. Prime Minister Louisy was replaced by Mr. Winston Cenac, who served until 1983. Prime Minister Cenac was replaced in 1983 by Prime Minister Michael “Mikey” Pilgrim, who led an Interim Government brokered by the Chamber of Commerce and the Catholic Church to take the island into General Elections later that year. The UWP won the 1983 General Election, heralding a return to the Prime Minister’s Office by Sir John Compton, for a second time. Sir John continued to serve as PM for three terms over 13 years. His party won the 1987 and 1992 General Elections (two in 1992) and Sir John remained as PM until 1996, when he resigned from office ahead of an upcoming scheduled General Election of 1997. He was replaced as PM by a new political inductee, Dr. Vaughan Lewis, the former founding Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Dr. Lewis’ term was however short-lived, as the UWP lost the upcoming 1997 General Elections. The SLP won the 1997 elections, heralding the first entry of Prime Minister Dr Kenny D. Anthony, who served for two consecutive five-year terms (1997-2001 and 2001-2006) until his SLP was defeated by the UWP. The UWP’s 2006 victory saw a return to office by Sir John Compton, who died in office less than a year later and was replaced by Prime Minister Stephenson King. PM King led the UWP administration through to December 2011, when the SLP won that month’s General Election. Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has been in office since 2011. Sir John Compton and Dr. Kenny D. Anthony have been the longest-serving St. Lucia Prime Ministers and the only two to have served in that office more than once. The Allen Chastanet led United workers party won the general elections on June 6th 2016, capturing 11 of the 17 constituency seats. PM Chastanet is an economist and hotelier before entering political life. He is the 7th elected Prime Minister of Saint Lucia.

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5 Governors General in 38 Years

5 Governors General in 38 Years First and Only Woman is St. Lucia’s Longest-Serving Head of State

Sir Allen Lewis

Boswell Williams

St. Lucia’s First Governor General was acclaimed jurist and former Chief Justice of the West Indies Associated States Sir Allen Lewis, who took the mantle at Independence in 1979. But his first term was short-lived as he was replaced by Governor General Boswell Williams after the July 2nd 1979 General Elections. Boswell Williams, a popular local legal advocate, served as Head of State until 1983, when he was replaced by Sir Allen Lewis, who served for a longer Happy 38th Independence | 18

Sir Stanislaus James

period during his second term. Sir Allen was replaced by Sir Stanislaus James, a retired public servant. Sir Stan was succeeded by Sir George Mallet, an ex political leader, veteran Cabinet Minister and businessman, who remained in the post until 1997, when Dame Pearlette Louisy was appointed. Dame Pearlette has been Governor General for the past 18 years, first appointed in 1997 by a St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration and retained for all of its five-year term

Sir George Mallet

(2006-2011) by the then ruling United Workers Party. Dame Pearlette was again retained by the SLP administration after the 2011 General Elections, making her the only woman to ever have held the post and the island’s longest-serving Head of State since Independence in 1979. Dame Pearlette is also the longest serving Governor General in the Commonwealth.

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New Constituency Councils to Manage Our Towns and Communities Mayors of Our Capital City - Past to Present

Mr. Peterson Francis Mayor of Castries

Mrs. Orricia Denbow-Bullen Mayor of Vieux-Fort

As Saint Lucia grows, so does its population – and as well, the number of towns and mayors and councils. The Local Government Council Authority was developed to provide efficient and effective resource distribution to residents of local communities across Saint Lucia. In order to ensure that the Government fulfils its obligations to the various communities, the Government of Saint Lucia has commissioned thirteen (13) new Constituency Councils. These include: 1. Babonneau 2. Canaries 3. Gros -Islet 4. Choiseul 5. Dennery North 6. Dennery South 7. Micoud North 8. Micoud South 9. Anse La Raye 10. Castries South East 11. Soufriere 12. Vieux Fort North 13. Castries Constituency Council (CCC) The Mayors nominated to date are: Mr. Pius Gangardine for Soufriere Mr. James Edwin for Gros Islet Mr. Peterson Francis for Castries Mrs Orricia Denbow-Bullen for Vieux Fort Happy 38th Independence | 20

Mr. James Edwin Mayor of Gros Islet

Former structures have been replaced with Councils now coordinated out of the Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment. The five Castries constituencies have been amalgamated into the Castries Constituencies Council (CCC), which includes the Castries City Council with its Mayor of Castries. The members of Castries Constituency Council (CCC) sworn in are as follows: Mr. Peterson Francis – Mayor Ms. Genevieve St Croix – Deputy Mayor Mr. Chris Mitchel Ms. Brenda Edwin Mr. Augustin Victor Mr. Victor Maurice Mr. Stephen Chicot Mr. Leslie Prospere / Felix Deterville Ms Anselma Calderon has since relinquished the position of Deputy Mayor and has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer. The Gros Islet Constituency Council comprises the following persons:

Mr. Pius Gangardine Mayor of Soufriere

Mr James Edwin – Mayor Mr Daniel Belizaire – Deputy Mayor Mr Danil Denis Mr Thaddeus Montoute Mrs Diane Felicien Ms Jania Louis Mr Neil Verdant Ms Lea Louis Ms Janine Giraudy The Vieux Fort Constituency Council comprises the following persons: Mrs Orricia Denbow-Bullen – Mayor Mr Jean Claude Amedee - Deputy Mayor Ms Francine Marius Mr Douglas Mahy Ms Sabina Valmont Ms Nicola Jeffa Bellas Mr Roger Wynter Mr Cuthbert James Mr Francis Edmund The Sourfriere Constituency Council comprises the following persons: Mr Pius Gangardine – Mayor Mrs Monica Felix Ms Clevanna Nicholas Mrs Chantal Auguste Mr Jefferson Stanislas Ms Claudia Louis Mr Zacheus Mitchel Mr Goivanni Moses

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Connections In these connections, we share with others the commemoration of “Quatorze Juillet 1789”, (Storming of the Bastille), Ambassadors climbing the Pitons, National Symbols of Saint Lucia, and activities honouring Jean Baptiste Bideau

The French and Us

Connections Dr. Gregor Williams

Quatorze Juillet 1789, (Storming of the Bastille) St. Lucia is not only “I”, “you” or “we”. We became St. Lucians after we made contact and connections with others. They were French, Martiniquans, English, Trinidadians, Venezuelans and others. These connections became established and reinforced starting from the earliest days of the French Revolution, when whites, free people of colour, freed slaves and maroons (neg mawon) joined together fighting for and in the spirit of Liberté, Egalité Liberté. These connections have been maintained throughout the centuries. The Alliance Francaise together with the French Embassy are planning celebrations for Quatorze Juillet 1789, (Storming of the Bastille) at Gros Islet and Pigeon Island. 1789 Sept.23 An assembly of inhabitants of the quarters of Castries and Gros Islet agree to abide by the decision of the EstatesGeneral, meeting at Versailles, and decide, among other things, that the 15th of July of every year, in every quarter, the anniversary of the “glorious” revolution should be celebrated. [Megemont, G., Sainte- Lucie de 1763 – 1789. Trans. by G. Williams.]

Climbing the National Symbol of Saint Lucia

The French Ambassador took great pride and pleasure in climbing the Petit Piton on Janauary 28th 2017. Another expedition was organized for Ambassadors and the officials of diplomatic corps to climb the Gros Piton on March 1ST, the 50TH Anniversary of our National Flag and Anthem.

Venezuela and Us

Bicentennial of the Death of Jean Baptiste Bideau. The Venezuelan Embassy has outlined a programme of activities which follows to mark the two hundredth anniversary of the death in battle of the St. Lucian Jean Baptiste Bideau defending Venezuelan Independence. These activities are intended to honour and celebrate his life. Jean Baptiste Bideau connects us all. In historical writings on Bideau his St. Lucian origin is always noted. , but he was French as well as St. Lucian. His life and career connected St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Trinidad and Venezuela and Haiti. He was a ship captain, privateer, boat builder, soldier, revolutionary, Governor, diplomat, and slave emancipator who died in battle defending Venezuelan Independence.

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July 14th: The Occasion to Celebrate “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”, between Saint lucians and French !

July 14th: The Occasion to Celebrate

By: Dr. Gregor Williams

“Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité”, between Saint Lucians and French ! In 1903, George William Des Voeux, Governor of St Lucia wrote : “The peoples of Martinique and St. Lucia are so closely connected by common blood and language, as well as by frequent intermarriage and intercommunication, that any disturbance arising in the one island is almost certain to have dangerous effects in the other.” This quotation is adopted, not only by Martiniquans but also by all French people, and the French National day is a date to remember the principles of Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité that Saint Lucians also believe in. Usually, 14th July is an occasion of celebration for some personalities of St Lucia, invited to the French Residence. In 2017, we would like the spirit of 14th July to be a moment celebrated by every St Lucian. 1789 Sept. 23 An assembly of inhabitants of the quarters of Castries and Gros Islet agreed to abide by the decision of the Estates- General, meeting at Versailles, and decided, among other things, that the 15th of July of every year, in every quarter, the anniversary of the “glorious” revolution should be celebrated. [Megemont, G. [1969]. Sainte- Lucie de 1763 – 1789, (Translated by Dr. G. Williams.) Indeed, this year, on July 14th, the French Embassy and the Alliance Française plan to create a unique event at the Pigeon Island site. The show will revisit one of the key moments of the French Revolution and make visitors travel back in History.

Scenes in costume, video-mapping, sound, lights ... will communicate the strong ties existing between people from Saint Lucia and from France, concerning freedom and the promotion of human rights. Imagine … July 14th, 1789 : the “Bastille” is taken by assault by a crowd of Parisians and the Revolution is beginning : nothing will ever be the same in France and in the French Islands. The French events of the day are taken up in a projection in videomapping on the walls of the National Trust in Pigeon Island. On stage, actors remember… We are in 1795. They read the “Gazette de Saint Lucie” which has been authorized to be published since 1786. They recall … the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; the granting of civil and political rights to the 3 groups of people (free white, free black and neg mawon); the opposition of Saint Lucians against the French Royalist flag; the rebellion of St Lucians and patriots against the British in “la Guerre des bois”; the resistance of the slaves; the capture of 13 foreign ships by Jean Baptiste Bideau on behalf of the Republic. They are excited by all these changes … but they don’t know yet that these events will be a prelude to the big slave revolt of 179697 …. Every St. Lucian is invited to assist the French Embassy with the 14th July show at Pigeon Island, and to celebrate Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité ! Happy 38th Independence | 23

Climbing the National Symbols of Saint Lucia

A new climb, the Gros Piton, H.E. Philippe Ardanaz, Hon. Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, H.E. Leiff Escalona Barrueta, H.E. Jorge Soberon, C.A. Jésus Lavalle Merchan. Photo : A.Dovert.

Climbing the National Symbols of Saint Lucia When Philippe Ardanaz, the new French Ambassador, came to Saint Lucia for the first time last October, he expected what people had told him about on the island, that it is multicultural, young, friendly, musically inclined, with magnificent scenery. If the sea is indubitably a part of present life and history of the Island, he discovered much more on his arrival. From the plane, he was certainly amazed by the huge tropical forest covering most of the island. And he was definitely surprised to learn that, even though Saint Lucia is an island, two mountainous volcanic plugs, the Pitons, were chosen as symbols of the Nation. Humans definitively like strong and tall symbols. The French were amongst the first to begin the competition of higher buildings with the Eiffel Tower at the end of the XIX century. But human competitions seem sometimes unreasonable compared to nature wisdom. And H.E. Ardanaz felt proud and confident to be welcomed in a country that chooses to glorify and respect nature, by means of the Pitons and its natural park classified as a Unesco World heritage site. He was impressed by the natural wealth of this park, where coral reefs cover almost 60 % of the site’s marine area. The sea reveals today 168 different fish species. 148 plant species have been recorded on Gros Piton and 97 on Petit Piton. The Gros Piton is home to 27 bird species, three indigenous rodents, bats, amphibians and reptiles. Coming himself from Pays Basque, a land of mountains and sea in the south-west part of France, in a more temperate climate of course, he felt at home in a such rich and diverse environment. Like Saint Lucia, Pays Basque is a multicultural land, divided between France and Spain; French and Spanish are his two mother tongues. Coming back to France, he likes to hike in the Pyrénnées, the huge and magnificent mountain range between France and Spain. Spending a large part of his life in South and Central America, including Argentina, and more recently Honduras, he has climbed numerous summits and he participated to the creation Happy 38th Independence | 24

of an association of volcano climbers. He eventually got an award for climbing volcanoes and, obviously the Pitons became his first challenge when he arrived in Saint Lucia. Speaking with Saint Lucians about the Petit Piton was a great adventure, learning all the dramatic stories that only great mountains can produce. But an alpinist is always avid for a new feat, and the 2438 feet of climbing became a new challenge for a mountaineer of his stature. A date was set and the great adventure could begin. The guide, Chant Joseph, was definitely fit and impressive and gave the confidence to succeed. Currently, the French Embassy is the house of mountaineers, Stéphane and Agnès Dovert and their son, Louis, were also part of the adventure. The first part of climb was wonderful and just nicely stimulating with wide steep stairs under the forest. The weather was good except for small rains and the ground and the rocks were wet. The second part was full of surprises, revealing wide upright rocks above emptiness and, below, the sea. A true exercise of rock climbing! But nothing can stop a great mountaineer. Despite the rain sometimes falling and the sliding rocks, the thrill of the challenge was here, the joy of conquering a new summit. The sentence of René Desmaison (a famous French mountaineer) came to his mind “As they crossed the cornice, it was not the mountain they had conquered, but their lives”. He was definitively at home here, on the Petit Piton slopes. The next step was to climb the Gros Piton and, talking in a diplomatic lunch about this new challenge, Philippe Ardanaz aroused enthusiasm. A large group of about 20 people, including Honorable Minister Sarah Flood Beaubrun, 3 Ambassadors, consuls and diplomats succeeded to climb this second national symbol of Saint Lucia on Saturday 4th March 2017. The weather was nice, the thighs athletic and sport became an international language.

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Bicentennial of the Death of Jean Baptiste Bideau

“Qu’il n’est pas d’avenir sans mémoire”, Jacques Chirac.

“There is no future without memory”. Bicentennial of the Death of Jean Baptiste Bideau By: Dr. Gregor Williams

On April 7th, 1817, 200 years ago, a Saint Lucian by birth, French by citizenship, Jean Baptiste Bideau, gave up his life in Venezuela, for personal freedoms, civic rights and Independence in Venezuela. In March this year we joined with the Venezuelan Embassy in the 200th Anniversary celebrations of Bideau’s support for Liberté, Egalité and Fraternité during the period of the French revolution, and his actions during the Latin American War of Independence. To mark the two hundredth anniversary of the death in battle of Jean Baptiste Bideau, defending Venezuelan Independence, the Venezuelan Embassy has outlined a programme of activities. These activities are intended to honour and celebrate the life of Jean Baptiste Bideau, a St. Lucian hero. Bideau connects us all. Who was Jean Baptiste Bideau? Bideau is best known in the historical literature for saving the life of Simon Bolivar, El Liberador. In writings about him his St. Lucian origins are always mentioned. However, Bideau’s life and career are much larger than this. Writings indicate that Bideau was born in St. Lucia in 1780, with roots at Desruisseaux, Micoud. Little has surfaced on his early life. He was a free mulatto, and was the Captain of a coastal trading schooner. His military career spanned 23 years, 1794 to 1817. In 1794 Bideau joined the French Navy. This was composed mainly of schooners like Bideau’s, that had been commandeered by the Commissioner Victor Hugues, operating from Guadeloupe. The captains like Bideau were made corsairs (privateers). It is recorded that Bideau captured 13 ships, three of them British. He continued as a privateer until Hugues was recalled to France in 1797. Bideau and other privateers took refuge in Trinidad. They moved to Venezuela and became the core of the patriot (Venezuelan Republican) navy. At the end of 1811, Bideau, a man of some means from building boats and trading with Venezuela, joined Miranda, the famous patriot, in support of the Venezuelan War of Independence. He was with Miranda in a long series of endeavours. He ferried troops on his brigantine “Boton de Rosa” and he fought battles on land, sea and river for Miranda. After Miranda was deposed, he joined Simon Bolivar and the patriots. Operating with Santiago Marino he raised money for the expedition from Chacachacare. One of the “Immortal 45”, he was made second in command to Mariño. He was appointed Governor of the eastern state of Guiria in Venezuela. Bideau served as chief diplomat in negotiating with the British Governor of Trinidad over the plight of refugees. Following two defeats and two voyages by Bolivar to Haiti, where Bideau joined him, Bolivar received arms and men from Toussaint and Pétion and returned to Venezuela. It was on the beach at Ocumare on July 14TH, 1816, where, in a flight of the Patriot army and abandoned by his officers, Bolivar, Happy 38th Independence | 26

considering taking his life rather than be captured, was rescued by Bideau who had returned in a boat. In his own ship, the “Indio Libre”, he followed Bolivar to Haiti after the disaster at Ocumare. In Haiti he planned overall strategy together with Bolivar’s top generals. On his return to Venezuela, he became a soldier again and was captured. He escaped and agitated for the slaves to free themselves to continue the fight in the mountains. He returned to fight again. He died in Venezuela defending the garrison at Casa Fuerte de Barcelona, of which he was commander, on April 7th, 1817. Everyone there was butchered by the Spanish royalists. He was one of the last of the defenders. Writings and documents show his distinguished career first as a seaman, captain, boat owner, and boat builder in the islands, following which he became a privateer, diplomat, and a naval officer in the service of France. From 1811, in support of Miranda and later in the service of Bolivar, he became a fundraiser, naval officer, soldier, military strategist, Governor, and advisor to Simon Bolivar, and a liberator of slaves in the war for Venezuelan Independence. In our tributes to Bideau we should celebrate not only his life and exploits, but also the memory of other revolutionary St. Lucians. Men like Lambert, Marinier and Marin Pedre, and women as Flore Bois Gaillard, and Rose “Toto’ Marthe, though not as famous as Bideau, who distinguished themselves and deserve recognition also. We need to remember also that others, mainly from the small French islands, sought refuge in Venezuela and joined and fought with the patriots. Neither should we forget the role of the Haitians, who fought to abolish slavery in their island and were of immeasurable assistance in the wars for Latin American independence. “In 1813, Bolivar crossed the Andes with just a few hundred men. Elements of the ‘Immortal 45’ from Trinidad were also at his side. Bolivar entered Caracas in August of that year and rallied all patriotic people to his cause. Simon Bolivar’s hope that Venezuela would become part of a great confederation of United South American States is still to be realised, in the same way that a Federation of Caribbean States is still to many a hopeful ideal.” Alice and Gerard Besson, “The Immortal 45”, Paria Publishing Company Limited 2000

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the libyan embassy in saint lucia Avails itself of this opportunity to extend the warmest

Congratulations To the Government and people of Saint Lucia Libyan on theEmbassy occasion of the thirty-eigth Indepedence anniversary and wishes more prosperity and development for the country.

Happy Independence Day quick facts about the state of Libya : North Africa

Capital : Tripoli

Major Cities : Benghazi, Misurata, Sabha

Religion : Islam

Official Language : Arabic

Area

Currency

: Libyan dinar (LDY)

Population : 6,733,620 (2012) statistics

Economy

: one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas.

Location

: 1,759,540 sq km.

The Libyan Embassy in Saint Lucia was the first Arab African Embassy to be opened in Saint Lucia; the purpose of the Emabssy is to strengthen the relations between the State of Libya and Saint Lucia and the member states of Eastern Caribbean in all fields. Happy 38th Independence | 27

38th Independence Anniversary Celebrations

38th Independence Anniversary Celebrations Celebrating Our Nation

Celebrating Our Nation Activities marking the country’s 38th Anniversary of Independence were held on Sunday 22nd of February at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Beausejour, Gros Islet celebrating the 38th anniversary of our political independence from Great Britain and the pride of our nationhood. The activities began with a military parade, and was followed by the national rally which boasted an array of local talent from across Saint Lucia. The early start did not deter an abundance of onlookers who were present for the event. Also in attendance were the Governor General of Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy who conducted the annual independence inspection of the guard, and Prime Minister Hon. Allen M. Chastanet. Prime Minister Chastanet shared words of inspiration. “I look forward to working with you so that we can continue to define what being Saint Lucia is, and that we take what is in the world that is good, and add our spices to it to make it Saint Lucian. I am proud of you as a people, and I am hopeful of the opportunity that we have.” Martin Dorville, President of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, delivered an inspirational, and patriotic message.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we are Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia is also us, a unique, important, amazing nation of people who have helped to shape world history. We must appreciate this unique identity and carry it with us as a survival tool, a pathway to prosperity, a secret ingredient in our strategy for success. Armed with all we know, learn, feel, possess, think, and experience, there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Even with globalized competition, no one can build a better Saint Lucia than us. We have a monopoly on our [intrinsic nature] and that is a formidable asset, a unique advantage in the making of our nation.â&#x20AC;?

Happy 38th Independence | 29 Government Ministers and Officials in attendance

Prayer, Praise and Worship Celebration

Prayer, Praise and Worship Celebration As part of celebrations of Saint Lucia’s 38th Anniversary of Independence the Government of Saint Lucia hosted the first ever Prayer, Praise and Worship celebration which was designed to uplift us as citizens of this country. The event was held at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground with Saint Lucians from several different Religious denominations coming together . The event saw a wide cross section of the Saint Lucian community gathering together in religious prayer. The Sunday evening event was one of the most attended independence celebrations event held this year. Culminating the evening’s activities was a candle light procession led by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and including members of Saint Lucia’s religious community. Happy 38th Independence | 30

H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Mrs. Chastanet in attendance

Saint Lucians Holding Hands in Prayer and Solidarity

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A Royal Night of Black, Yellow, Blue and White A Royal Night of Black, Yellow, Blue and White

Prime Minister’s Independence Reception 2017 The Prime Minister’s official residence at Vigie was packed with numerous members of the diplomatic corps, business community, parliamentarians and citizens from all walks of life, as they all convened to join the Prime Minister in celebrating Saint Lucia’s 38th year of Independence. The Prime Minister, Hon. Allen Chastanet was not shy as he welcomed everyone to his residence as the eight Prime Minister of Saint Lucia. His usual warm embrace and steady handshake was the pleasant welcome for the guest who poured in from 7pm. His wife, Raquel Du Boulay – Chastanet was an excellent host, gliding through the packed crowd and engaging everyone she met with a conversation in their various capacity; While from time to time checking in with food and beverage, ensuring everything was on point for the evening’s proceedings.

code in full effect as the PM’s compound was well attended by fashionistas creatively adorned with the national colours of Saint Lucia. The event went on into the night with the crowd only dispersing from 11pm. The atmosphere was one of pride and relaxation for all who attended the celebration.

It was near impossible to go through the night without a chance to taste the many local delicacies being servedby outstanding students from the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School. All, while being serenaded by sweet sounding creole and contemporary music from a live band. Pride in the celebratory event was evident with the dress

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Mrs Chastanet Welcome a Guest to the Reception Happy 38th Independence | 32

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Prime Minister’s Grand

Independence Ball

Prime Minister’s Grand Independence Ball The First of Many to Come

On the evening of February 21st, Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet and his wife Mrs. Raquel Chastanet hosted the first ever Prime Minister’s Independence Ball at the William Clinton Ball Room at Sandals Grande Saint Lucia Resort, as part of activities marking Saint Lucia’s 38th Anniversary of Independence. The event attracted hundreds of persons including several ambassadors and foreign dignitaries including the Presidents of Martinique and Guadeloupe, Ambassadors from Taiwan, France, Germany, the UK, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Spain. Former Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sir James Mitchell, delivered the featured address to the packed ball room of some 300 attendees. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet also addressed the crowd that night. During his presentation, he stressed on the importance of recognizing our history as a nation to move forward. The event, was organized by the Prime Minister’s wife as a means to raise funds for the Upton Garden Girls Centre. The evening was complimented with live entertainment by Arthur Allain, Ronald Boo Hinkson, Barbara Cadet and others. According to the organizers, the event will become a permanent feature on the independence calendar of events and will continue to raise funds for various causes in our society. Happy 38th Independence | 34

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Independence Investiture Awards 2017

Independence Investiture Awards 2017 Governor General of Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, conferred the 38th Independence Awards at Government House. Among this year’s recipients were Hon. Arsene James, who received the Saint Lucia Cross for his contribution to education and government; former Commissioner of Police of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Cuthbert Phillips, who received the Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (silver) for his contribution to national development in the areas of national security, tourism and agriculture; and media icon David Samuels, who was awarded the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit (silver) for his contribution to the field of broadcasting. During the ceremony, National Awards Committee member, Roger Joseph, thanked the awardees for their services. “To all those included in the investiture today, we thank you for accepting the award. We congratulate you, and most of all we extend our sincerest appreciation to you for serving Saint Lucia as you have done and continue to do,” he said. “You helped to make this place the Saint Lucia we love. You are Saint Lucia.” He also implored Saint Lucians to play a more active role in nominations, as only 40 applications were received in 2017, compared to over 100 applications in 2016. “Perhaps there is no greater statement on the independence of our nation than to confer our own awards on our own citizens. Let’s participate fully in the process, all of us.” Joseph added that there are many deserving Saint Lucians, and anyone can qualify for an award once a detailed case is made. Happy 38th Independence | 36

The Order of Saint Lucia is divided into the following categories:

Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Lucia (GCSL) Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCSL/DCSL) Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (SLMH) Saint Lucia Medal of Merit (SLMM) Saint Lucia Les Pitons Medal (SLPM) National Service Cross (NSC) National Service Medal (NSM) On the occasion of Independence Day 2017, Her Excellency the Governor General, as Chancellor of the National Societies of Honour, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 25 of the National Honours and Awards Act, has been pleased to make the following appointments.

The Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) Arsene Vigil James

The Saint Lucia Les Pitons Medal (Bronze) SLPM

(for distinguished and outstanding service of national importance to Saint Lucia)

(for long and meritorious community service in the field of sports)

Cuthbert Modeste Deborah Pelage

(for long and dedicated community service in education)

The Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (Silver) SLMH Cuthbert Cabot Darnley Phillips (for eminent service of national importance to Saint Lucia)

Tony Emmanuel Llewelyn Wilkinson

(for long and dedicated service in the area of music education)

(for an act of bravery in a hazardous circumstance)

The National Service Medal Curtis Patrick Sealy

(for an act of bravery in a hazardous circumstance)

(for outstanding and meritorious service in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Band)

William Damaze

Arlister Kirk Mathurin

The Saint Lucia Medal of Merit (Gold) SLMM Amanda Marie Anne King (for long and meritorious service in the field of medicine)

Humphrey Andrew Regis

(for long and meritorious service in the field of Education and Journalism)

Derede Williams

(for long and meritorious service in the field of music)

The Saint Lucia Medal of Merit (Silver) SLMM Timothy Theophilus Robinson (for long and meritorious service in the field of Religion and Pastoral Ministry)

David Cletus Sinus Samuels

(for long and meritorious service in the field of Broadcasting)

Leonard Surage

(for long and meritorious service in the field of Medicine)

The Saint Lucia Les Pitons Medal (Gold) SLPM

Denis Didier

(for long and meritorious service to the Special Olympics Movement)

Urban Seraphin

(for long and meritorious public service)

The Saint Lucia Les Pitons Medal (Silver) SLPM

Malcolm Stewart Burns

(for long and meritorious community service)

Lera Mary Pascal

(for long and meritorious public service in education)

Roseline Mary Philogene

(for long and meritorious public service in education)

The National Service Cross Mr. Errol Lindsey Alexander (for loyal and devoted service to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force)

THE PUBLIC SERVICES LONG SERVICE AWARD Her Excellency the Governor-General has been pleased to award the Public Services Long Service Award in respect of Independence Day, 2017 to the following persons:

Saint Lucia Public Service Rosemary Pamphile Theresa Cavalier

Saint Lucia Teaching Service Andrea Avellin Monero-James Andrewna Gill

Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Corina Montoute Lawrence Paul

Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (Ports Police) Josephine Thomas Jacqueline Tobierre Saint Lucia Fire Service

Willan Jean Edwin Ligorius Alexander

Bordelais Correctional Facility Raymond Octave

William Owen Doxillie

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National Colours Day

Explodes in Castries National Colours Day Explodes in Castries

February 21st for 38 years has been the day Saint Lucians of all ages and all walks of life get the opportunity to display their national pride in clothing. This year, the fashion forward day was one of a celebratory mode as Castries was transformed into a day of cultural explosion. Dancers, drummers and stick-walkers lined the streets displaying some of the best cultural aspects of the island. Their display complimented the many onlookers who were dressed in different colours of the national flag. Even children had their stint of dressing up in the national colours on that day, truly embracing the 2017 theme “I am Saint Lucia”. Senator Fortune Belrose from the Ministry of Local Government has been an instrumental part of the 2017 independence celebrations. In commenting on the many events which took place this year and the theme, the Senator said, “It is about making that commitment to changing the way things are in our society. Saint Lucia belongs to all of us and this is our time to show that we are patriotic Saint Lucians and we are part of the celebrations that are going on.” Here are some highlights from National Day 2017:

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Helping Helen: Redefining Saint Lucian Independence

Helping Helen: Redefining Saint Lucian Independence By: Anushka Singh

There are inevitably certain times of year where we get more patriotic and nationalistic. In St Lucia especially, we have quite a few occasions that warrant such a shift - Jounen kwéyòl, National Day, and last but not least Independence. I sit and reflect, as a St Lucian national living abroad, what does Independence mean to me? By the nature of Independence, it is something that I am proud of. Without Independence I would not be able to proudly identify as St Lucian waving my blue, yellow, black and white. While this is all well and good, and pulls at my heartstrings, I needed to think a little deeper - and where better to start than with the definition of Independence. According to Google ... Independence the fact or state of being independent. Free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority. Not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence. synonyms: self-government, self-rule, home rule, separation, determination, sovereignty, autonomy, freedom, liberty “the struggle for national independence” self-sufficiency, self-reliance, autonomy, freedom, liberty

self-

Looking at the definition and synonyms it really makes me wonder - while we are “formally” by name, independent - when will we actually achieve this definition? As a small island state will we ever be able to not depend on another for livelihood or subsistence? Just think about our food import bill! Granted, we will in some degree always need to have partnerships and rely on each other - but what this definition shows is that we are still very much on the road to independence. Happy 38th Independence | 40

Flying a flag, having a passport and separate identity is not enough to embody independence. We need to grow our country and our abilities as a nation. Sweet Helen is going to be a 38 year old woman who cannot feed her children and is in debt up to her ears. She does not have good enough health care to take care of her children when they are sick. She doesn’t have the necessary education so she has to send her brightest kiddos elsewhere. Those children of hers that stay while they want to help her out and contribute, she hasn’t planned ahead to have jobs available for them. Some are so desperate to figure something out that they turn to crime. But behind the struggles, the bruises and the tired eyes - she is the most beautiful woman you have ever seen and has potential some people could not even dream of. How much do we really love her? Do we show her we love her every single day and not just when we feel like? Can’t we do better than the token Instagram or Facebook posts you’ll see with #758 #iamlucian? The reality is our Sweet Helen can’t get to a truer Independence on her own - she needs the help of all of us not just government. Because if we truly love her and truly want our home to be the best it can be, we need to be more proactive in her progress. We need to help her patch up her wounds and stand up with confidence and might like the majestic Pitons. With any parent and child, the time comes where the roles begin to reverse, and I believe our time to take care of Helen is now. She needs us to invest in each other and invest in her potential. It’s time to give her the time and attention she deserves, and most of all - leave her better off than when we first met her in 1979.

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Ah ... The Infinite Joy of Being Saint Lucian

Ah ... The Infinite Joy of Being Saint Lucian By: Judy Deterville This has been a long interlude and we have missed the curtain call. Disasters have come and gone. Markets have crashed internationally and we continue to feel the effects locally. We know how the story ended with our bananas as presently, we are looking to export them to Martinique and possibly to France. I grew up in the boon of bananas when we were exporting some 270 000 tons a week. Now we are re-inventing the wheel. There has been health crisis after health crisis. Of course the latest one that I remember is that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito has now been blamed for the spread of Dengue, Chikungunya and the dreaded Zika virus locally, regionally and internationally. And that was after SARS, H1N1 and the now infamous Ebola outbreak that wreaked havoc across African states. It was only controlled when Americans became infected. The millennium came quietly, amidst all of the fanfare and hype that was created. And the last 23 years have added insult to injury, especially to small economies across the Caribbean. And Climate Change - well, “they” have described it as the biggest existential threat to humanity. But in Saint Lucia (notice I now use the full spelling of Saint) we still move to our own drum beat. Crime has Happy 38th Independence | 42

escalated. And we seem to be in a state of flux, unable to help ourselves. We still wait for the next hand out, but we are still more educated than we were 23 years ago. We understand how to use all of the new technologies and social media is the hottest thing next to sliced bread (of course even bread is bad for us now...). And bigger challenges loom - food security for the world, which brings with it a scientific rush to manufacture food; increases in drought and extremes in destructive weather; more job insecurity; political upheaval even in what we consider to be the free world. Where does it end? Desiderata says - It is still a beautiful world; strive to be happy”. In Saint Lucia, we are proud to wear our black, white, yellow and blue, proclaiming our independence to the world. We love to talk about our 2 Nobel Laureates and our twin Piton mountains. This is the land of my birth. A land of green hills by nature blessed, with valleys spreading verdantly. It is the mountains, the beaches, the glorious sunsets. That is who I am, Saint Lucia. I long to re-visit this piece in the next 23 years...

Nobel Laureates Festival 2017

Nobel Laureate Festival 2017 Jamaica Kincaid Praises - Sir Derek Walcott

Jamaica Kincaid Praises - Sir By: Stan Bishop

The arts community benefitted from an insightful Sir Derek Walcott Lecture delivered by Antiguan-American author, Jamaica Kincaid, on Tuesday evening at the National Cultural Centre. Kincaid, 67, used the lecture’s theme, “Our Homer: Derek Walcott”, to pay tribute to Sir Derek, from whom, she said, she has learned a lot from during her writing career. “All of us who came after him have benefitted (from his work). No one would have understood me, really, if Derek hadn’t existed,” Kincaid, Professor of African and American Studies in Residence at Harvard University, said. During the lecture, Kincaid used excerpts from Sir Derek’s works to weave the story of the Caribbean’s fate during the pre-Columbian and post-Columbian eras, a fate that continues to marvel the world through literature, including Sir Derek’s works. She ended the lecture by reading his famous poem, “Love After Love”. Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, members of the diplomatic corps, writers and other supporters of the arts made up the small audience that also got the chance to pose questions to Kincaid during the Q&A segment. Also present was a group of 25 literature students from an American university who travelled

Derek Walcott

to Saint Lucia for the lecture. (Sir Derek, 87, was absent on the Tuesday evening event due to a recent injury). After the lecture, the audience participated in a word art activity in which they wrote a line of poetry on strips of cardboard and posted them sequentially on a blank board to form a new poem. Kincaid (real name Elaine Cynthia Potter Richardson) was born in St. John’s, Antigua in 1949. She got her big break writing for “The Village Voice” and “Ingénue” before landing a job at “The New Yorker”. She is a novelist, essayist and gardening writer. She has won numerous awards for her works, which include “Lucy (1990)”, “Annie John (1985)”, “A Small Place (1988)”, “My Brother” (1997) and ‘The Autobiography of My Mother (1996). Her work includes themes of colonialism (and its legacy), postcolonialism and neo-colonialism, gender and sexuality, British and American imperialism, colonial education, racism and time. She currently lives in North Bennington, Vermont. Happy 38th Independence | 43

TRIBUTE TO DEREK WALCOTT TRIBUTE TO DEREK WALCOTT - WORDS: For Derek at 87

WORDS: For Derek at 87 By: McDonald Dixon

You; it is always you from the beginning, a canoe full of words, a quiver of verbs; a bailer in the stern un-nerved by language, flowing like Troumassee once flowed from your heart, seaward; calabash displacing bilge in a rhythmical flood like discarded lines from a poem, not because they are not beautiful, but because they just don’t fit. I never told you how I have found solace in your themes; an inner peace, even in grief. Let me do so before it’s too late for you to understand this prodigal returning to say thanks, Maestro, with a net for words cast along a beach, hoping for sprats... without you, the might-have-been may never have been birthed. Without you, there may never have been Robert, Kendel, maybe Jane; Goddard, or Adrian, or Luciens’ gift – Vladimir, listed here in order of birth, not fame. I may never have written one drivelling line had I not stumbled on 25 Poems on a dark shelf at Saint Mary’s. Without you, with tiller in hand to steer us clear of yawning cliffs, jaws welcoming as we debate the line; we could have floundered on this coast that bears the scars of many wrecks; where words snap at words, never to see sunrise or sunset as they should be seen, imagined only as a green flash raving it’s iridescent light briefly over a cobalt sea. The sea follows our Odysseus, outward bound, spreading his net of words everywhere: Jamaica; Grenada; Trinidad; New York; Boston; trawling, trawling, different lights, trawling; neon, phosphorescent, thinning the smog of cities in a pale gray suit like commerce, trawling light, up and down main streets, Sharpening metaphor meant for one poem but follows like a theme throughout.

Women flock to the bay on pilgrimages for fish. The bay could be Roseau, Dennery, or Gros Islet. They hear you come back for good; remembering bottle green eyes, weak kneed they sink in the sand. News of Odysseus returning is blown on conch shell horns, Afa Augisten, even soft spoken Hounakin, never bother about race once food reach on the table and their children eat. We will always remember you with words, the gift you gave freely like parts of speech, incantations; alliterations; lines — Similes grow in ink from your penless nib... Why Walcott, have there been no new metaphors after you gathered the few strays in your net, except for those that come by sea in a conch’s echo and murmur of cockles retreating under sand defiant to the tide’s pull – Why Walcott, have you been the yardstick by which we measure gabardine to make our suits for christenings, first communions, weddings, death? There is no one answer; let us dismantle the hieroglyphics. Your ‘Adamic task,’ the harvesting of sounds began with the sea crab bursting through sand, pincers alert, pecking at familiar things: pomegranate seeds, mango skins and – forget the and, the list is too long. You join worlds together with less. Greece is not a nation in the Aegean, but in the Caribbean sea. The earth shakes continuously dreaming of cataclysms worlds apart, lines misplaced in time with text and history, present assumes its proper place – words soliciting other words. Still I never told you how much I have learnt about the world by repeating your lines —

After so many, many years, you return to your island; you never left. Your canoe returns at dusk, gauges the distance between islet and bay, a Cyclops, eye in the hold, your catch; never forgetting manchineel stings when it rains. Gauguin came, with water colours, to preserve your villages, so you could find them intact like the morning you left, before he left for Tahiti.

McDonald Dixon Happy 38th Independence | 44

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Celebrating Our Sons and Daughters

Sir Leton Thomas

St. Lucia has produced outstanding sons and daughters throughout its history. A few of them from the days of French colonization are well known. Others surfaced during the days of British rule. The warriors are well known, but some whose careers were not in Celebrating the limelight but whose contributions are priceless are worthy of being given some attention and public exposure. From Vieux Fort came the Thomas family. One son Leton was born on July 26th, 1926. He was one of the few survivors of a family of eight. In 2016 he celebrated his 90th birthday. Sir Leton was responsible for children from the time he finished primary school at the age of 16 in the “Intending Teachers Programme”, where bright youngsters were groomed and apprenticed to be teachers. Except for the Anglican and Methodist schools all schools in the island were managed by the Roman Catholic Church. In some cases, the government provided lands on which the priests built and managed the schools. The first purely Government built school was the Vide Bouteille Primary School, erected as late as only in 1947. The tradition of teacher education in St. Lucia once commitment was made was to be trained in the United Kingdom to get certified. He qualified as an ACP (Associate of the College of Preceptors) and an LCP (Licentiate of the College of Preceptors) and graduated in the United States with a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in 1965.

Music at the London College of Music

It was a long journey from the Vieux Fort Boys School to become Principal of the highest institution of learning in the island. The achievements have been outstanding and the awards deserved. The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, of which Sir Leton was founding Principal from 1987 to his retirement in 1995 was one of the top Community Colleges in the islands, attracting delegates from as far as the Pacific (Cook Islands), to learn how a community college could be made to work and operate. In a long inaugural address to his staff as Principal of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College he spelt out his goals and those for the college which should be the guide for future principals. “Now let me seek your active co-operation on two matters. Our college is named after a most celebrated and illustrious St. Lucian of renowned intellectual distinction. His life and work should inspire us towards the pursuit of excellence. We need to inspire in our students and support staff pride in this institution, a concern for the appearance of the buildings and grounds in such a way, Happy 38th Independence | 46

Our Sons and Daughters Sir Leton Thomas

that your enthusiasm for pleasant College buildings and grounds will be caught by students and non-teaching staff alike. The College through members of staff more than anyone else must create an intellectual and moral atmosphere in which members of the entire College community can grow, achieve, extend their skills and perceptions, and in the process of the entire community”. It must be disheartening for Sir Leton to see the present state of the institution, where buildings have been allowed to deteriorate, temporary classrooms torn down, classes relocated in other schools, the library building non-operational and classrooms being turned into administrative offices. Sir Leton served St. Lucia in Education, teaching and administration for 45 years, from 1950-1995. Two of these years were spent as an advisor to UNESCO in a Regional Education Project as Coordinator of the Caribbean Network of Educational Innovates for Development (CARNEID). After retirement, he was appointed a member of the Senate in 1996 and was designated Minister for the Public Service and Public Service Reform in the office of the Prime Minister up to 1997. Following this period he served in different capacities on different boards with UNESCO on Caribbean and Latin America Education projects. In paying tribute to Sir Leton, the work and inspiration of the Honourable Hunter J. Francois, Minister of Education cannot be overlooked. He was the longest serving Minister of Education of St. Lucia, A visionary, lawyer and musician beloved by all, he was responsible for the convertion of the military buildings on the Morne to an Education Complex, comprising the A’ Level College, the Morne Technical College and the Saint Lucia Teachers’ College. These institutions eventually became the nucleus of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, established in 1985. The College’s library has been named after Hon. Hunter J. Francois in honour

of the pivotal role he played in establishing Morne Fortune as the premier location for tertiary education in Saint Lucia. It was through the inspiration and support of the minister that Sir Leton was able to work and achieve, as part of the team headed by Hunter J. Francois and supported by Mr. (later Sir) Ira Simmons, Mr. (now Sir) Leton Thomas and Mr. (now the Honourable) George Theophilus.

Awards Received

• 1961 Order of the British Empire • 1991 Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael & St. George • 1992 Commander of the British Empire • 2003 Honorary Doctor of Letters conferred on him by the UWI at the 2003 graduation ceremony held at the St Augustine Campus, Trinidad. • 2006 The Saint Lucia Cross • 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Medal • Simon Bolivar Medal

Behind every great man is a great woman. Lady Thomas, from the distinguished Alexander family of Soufriere played that role. His companion throughout, she was also a teacher and was Principal of the Teachers College section under Sir Leton. Ironically the building named after Sir Leton was that which Lady Thomas ran her section. One wonders why the building was not named or renamed the Sir Leton and Lady Thomas Building.

Sir Leton Thomas Building, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College education and curriculum development and administration of tertiary education. He was an Inspector of Schools, Chief Education Officer, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and founding Principal of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. An impressive list of writings on all aspects of Education produced over the years reveals the range and depth of his work Sir Leton is known as the composer of the music to the National Anthem written by Fr. Charles Jesse. In addition he was an organist in the Cathedral and choral director in the Roman Catholic Church. As Mandela said to us “Because you are small you do not have to be coward”

During that time, Sir Leton was involved in teaching, teacher training, inspection and supervision, education planning,

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Joan’s father ran the family estates with his brother Charles, growing cocoa, coconuts, coffee, and limes, and also raising large white pigs. The old sugar mill was electrified, and the power used to produce block ice and butter. Andre Du Boulay played a major role in the development of the coconut industry, and the Coconut Growers Association. The family’s properties and assets were consolidated into a company, Du Boulay Holdings Limited, incorporated about July in 1973, with Andre and Marie the sole shareholders.

Joan Devaux

Joan Devaux was born Joan Du Boulay in the town of Soufriere. She was one of five children of Andre and Marie Du Boulay. The other children were: Michael, Camille, Therese, and Marguerite. The family is one of the long established old French families of Soufriere and Saint Lucia, having arrived in the island in the early days of French settlement. The lands changed hands several times, but were eventually bought by Joan’s father, Mr. Andre Du Boulay. There were four estates owned by the family named after jewels: Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, and Sapphire. Joan grew up in Soufriere, a town where the Roman Catholic Church is dominant. She attended St. Joseph’s Convent in Castries and the Ursuline Convent in Barbados. Her schooling was completed in Sherborne, Dorset, England. During her holidays she went to Belgium, where she learned and spoke French. Joan returned to St. Lucia and married Joe Devaux. They raised several children. Happy 38th Independence | 48

Andre Du Boulay died in 1982 and Joan, being the oldest member of the company and largest shareholder took over the operations of the company as Managing Director about 1983. Joan had learned her enterprising skills and character from her father, and became an excellent businesswoman and a successful entrepreneur. Mrs. Devaux together with Clem Bobb, Wayne Brown, and Nick Troubetzkoy formed a Company, the Soufriere Development Programme Ltd. in 1989. This grew out of a pre-existing broad based committee, Soufriere Development Committee, started in 1985, of which Mrs. Devaux was a founding member and member of the Steering Committee. Together with Linmore and Joan’s brother Michael, they brought business into Soufriere and organised the company to create facilities to develop tourism in Soufriere. This Company eventually became the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation. Mrs. Devaux has spent most of her life and her energies running the Du Boulay Holdings Limited Company. The Soufriere Estate and Diamond Estate are the site of the Diamond waterfall, the Diamond Baths, the old sugar mill, and the Botanical Gardens on Soufriere Estate plantation grounds. Together they form the most impressive and well managed heritage site in Saint Lucia. Mrs. Devaux was responsible for restoring the Diamond Baths, originally built in 1784 for French troops to enjoy the therapeutic water. Mrs. Devaux has a reputation for being a hard worker, hard taskmaster and an uncompromising person. She is regarded as strong headed, reliable and always willing to use her own resources for the common good of the community. However, there is a softer and even more charitable and generous character to her life that is little known. Mrs. Devaux has helped many students from Soufriere to attend schools in Castries, at her own expense. She has been quite insistent that she should not be credited publicly for that generosity. Mrs. Devaux has retired and is recognized and honoured as one of our most enterprising business women of Saint Lucia.

Marie Grace Augustin

By: Trudy O. Glasgow B.A., LL.B (Hons), BVC, LL.M, P.C.H.E

Marie Grace Augustin was the first woman to qualify as a lawyer in Saint Lucia, however she was not allowed to practice.

Marie Grace Augustin

The writer was invited to deliver a public lecture on Marie Grace Augustin at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College a few years ago. Here is an extract from that speech: The Augustin family welcomed their seventh child, Marie Grace Augustin on 2nd June 1897. Marie Grace was described by her siblings as inquisitive, curious and ‘too fast’. Marie Grace received her secondary school education in Antigua in 1912. She passed the Preliminary Local Examination in Religious Knowledge, English (Grammar, Composition, and Author), History, Geography, French, Algebra Freehand and Model Drawing. After high school, she studied for three years to be a nurse and mid-wife securing her midwifery certificate on 29th October 1918 from Victoria Hospital. The health services provided more opportunities for women to get work. Women were encouraged to take up nursing and teaching. Her brother, Elwin Augustin was described as a ‘brilliant lawyer’ and was Marie Grace’s motivation to study law. She articled at his chambers for three years and presented herself at the Registrar’s office to do the bar exams in 1923. She is famously told by Acting Chief Justice J.E.M Solomon that the law does not provide for women to become lawyers. No doubt Justice Solomon is turning over in his grave now, with the upsurge of female legal practitioners in Saint Lucia and around the world. Had the Acting Chief Justice been more progressive, Marie Grace could have been the first female legal practitioner in the island. Instead that honour goes to Daisy Borman in the 1940’s. Her younger sister, Olive was the only other sibling not to marry, and they lived together until Marie Grace’s death. She was a pioneer in her own right, in the field of nursing and medicine. She said about her sister Marie Grace: “Grace has done more, as a woman of her time, than any other I have heard or read about...” The legal profession may not have been ready to welcome women in 1923, and no doubt Marie Grace would have been frustrated with this turn of events. She would later sit on the Legislative Board and be the first female nominated parliamentarian, thereby demonstrating that studying law had its uses. What the law does provide is an avenue: to think, analyse and consider things from varying perspectives. And Marie Grace was innovative in many regards, using her natural and learnt skills

of analysis and not accepting the status quo to good use. Marie Grace said once: “For a short person like me, I climbed the ladder pretty high. But then, I had to. It was the only way I could see, over the heads of the crowd around me! How else could I see what needed to be done?” Marie Grace Augustin achieved many ‘firsts’: She was the first female nominated parliamentarian; - first lady to join the St. Lucia Cricket Club; - first female member of the St. Lucia Legislature; She sat on many boards and committees including: - Director of the Coconut Growers’ Association - Copra Manufacturers’ Ltd - Banana Growers’ Association - Agricultural Credit Fund - Augustin Sisters’ Investment fund When Marie Grace Augustin passed away on 30th March 1996, she was ninety eight years old. The eulogy at her funeral was delivered by the late Lady Marilyn Floissac and printed in The Voice newspaper on 13th April 1996. The tribute was titled, ‘She was quite a lady’. The writer humbly adds that she was certainly a lady of strong and unwavering values. Family was important to her, making a meaningful contribution to her society and enriching the lives of those around her. She thought outside the box, and developed her own identity and was well-established as a mover and shaker in the society at the time. She received an OBE in 1957, an achievement not usually bestowed on women for her more active years in service. A lady of stamina, strength, and independent thinking and vision. Marie Grace thought of ways to work with what was available to make life a richer experience for her society. Happy 38th Independence | 49

Youth and Sports Take Centre Stage

Sports Take Centre Stage - 37th National Sports Awards 2017

National Sports Awards 2017 The night of February 18th proved just how important the sporting community is in the daily lives of Saint Lucians. The National Sports Awards 2017 was one of the major highlights for the 38th Independence Celebrations. Many sports enthusiasts, supporters, well wishes and members of Government were out in full force supporting the annual event which recognizes the movers and shakers in the sporting arena. 12 major awards were bestowed on some notable sports personalities along with awards to key participants and sporting teams who made significant strides in 2016. Olympic Finalist Levern Spencer walked away with Sportswoman of the Year after she represented Saint Lucia in the High Jump Happy 38th Independence | 50

Allan ‘Striker’ Hippolyte Receives Lifetime Sports Award

Finals for the Olympics 2016. She is now ranked as number 3 in the world for Women’s High Jump. Walking away with Sportsman of the year for 2017 was West Indies Cricketer Johnson Charles. Johnson played an impressive game during his West Indies T-20 finals which lead his team to walk away with the winning title. The evening was well attended to say the least, with the National Cultural Centre hosting scores of attendees which included Ministers of State and the Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy. The master of Ceremonies Shannon Lebourne was accompanied by the mistress of ceremony, radio news presenter, Keba Taliam. They both kept the audience engaged as everyone eagerly awaited the many awards that were captured that night. As advertised, the event started on time and lasted for two hours; displaying the true essence of sportsmanship — precision and discipline.

Laverne Spencer Receives 2017 Sportswoman of the Year Award Happy 38th Independence | 51

Olympians

Club of the Year

Jr. Sportwoman of The Year Happy 38th Independence | 52

Mens Volleyball

Womens Volleyball

Sportman of |The Happy 38th Jr. Independence 53 Year

Miss Independence: Queen of Queens

Miss Independence: Queen of Queens By: Rae Anthony

This year’s Independence pageant had a twist—the pageant, which usually features new faces, was a ‘Queen of Queens’ show. Four young women who had participated in the event before, and emerged victorious, would be competing against each other in the most elegant manner, and one, later, would be crowned the ‘Queen of Queens’—the best of the best. The pageant, (a Gregory Lorde production), took place on February 21, at the National Cultural Centre. Chelsea Toussaint (2007), Syma Faucher (2009), Anya Edwin (2013) and Pauline Francis (2014) were “the lovely four”. The girls appeared in six segments namely: introduction, promotional speech, motivational segment (which replaced the talent segment), evening wear and interview. The judges would have a hard time deliberating some agreed, as the girls all brought their A-game—they were experienced after all. Though the segments were all pleasing, it was the motivational segment that stood out most. It was a new addition to the pageant and possibly (locally), the first of its kind. In this segment, the girls sat across each other on stage and had to inform the audience on how they would help dysfunctional youth; the question was Happy 38th Independence | 54

posed by host Herma Demacque, a former Miss Independence contestant and runner-up, and ‘The Wave’ radio personality. According to Gregory Lorde, the girls, initially, were to converse with each other and present their solutions. However, the approach changed ultimately. But unlike the interview segment where most responses (arguably) sound rehearsed, this segment required girls to speak as if they were having a conversation in a natural setting and go in depth with their answers. The theme for this year’s pageant was ‘Reflections of our Commonwealth, values and principles’. Each contestant was given a ‘value’ which they were required to speak on in their promotional speech and were later questioned on said value in the interview segment. The values for this year’s pageant were: empowerment (Chelsea), equality (Syma), democracy (Anya) and dialogue (Pauline). The pageant, unfortunately, was poorly attended; attendance has been an issue for the past few (consecutive) years. The organizer is hoping to improve the situation, however, by implementing new methods, which according to him, he will soon be working on. In the end, it was Anya Edwin who was declared ‘Queen of Queens’; the first and only runner-up spot went to Syma Faucher.

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Customs Clearance Freight Forwarding The newly crowned queen also walked away with the prizes for Best Promotional Speech, Best Evening Wear and Best Interview (an award she shared with the runner-up—the tie was a welcome surprise for both the audience and contestants). The runner-up also walked away with the prize for Best Discussion (motivational segment).

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But though it was Anya and Syma who stole the show, the other contestants, (luckily), did not walk away empty-handed; each contestant received a scholarship thanks to Monroe College and Caribbean Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute. In an after show interview, Anya who stumbled (just a little!) in the early stages of the show, informed reporters that this year there was added pressure as the event would determine who was the best of the best; the victory she said, undoubtedly, was a special one.

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Happy 38th Independence | 55

Best of St. Lucia Independence day activities began with the usual parade of arms and presentations by the country’s leaders and tributes to those who paved the way for the nation. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet spoke briefly during the morning’s rally, encouraging Saint Lucians of all ages to reflect on what it is to be a proud Saint Lucians and to strive to make the country better.

of St. Lucia It was the afternoonBest of Wednesday 22nd February that saw the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium packed with spectators who all gathered to enjoy the free concert staged by the government. Many local artistes performed their hit songs throughout the afternoon into late evening. Local soca stars such as Teddyson John and Ricky T opted to travel back to Saint Lucia for a special appearance, during the peak of their international soca monarch competition held in Trinidad. Hundreds of Saint Lucians participated in the other activities which took place during the concert, including a free exhibition of some of Saint Lucia’s finest arts and crafts retailers and entrepreneurs. All equipped to offer a unique buying and selling opportunity. The night climaxed with a ten minutes fireworks display, officially ending the 38th year of celebrating independence.

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Happy 38th Independence | 56

On this, the 38th anniversary of Saint Luciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independence, the Cultural Development Foundation salutes the creative spirit of her people and the overwhelming pride resonating in our hearts as our island nation progresses. May our faith in each other, our love for Cultural Development Foundation community and our commitment to the service of others, propel us to forever fly high the blue, gold, black and white; a glorious tapestry of the unique and resilient people we are.

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Walking for Independence - History of the Northern Long Distance Walking Group

Walking for Independence It is fair to say that over the last three and a half (3 1/2) decades, a familiar family is, or could be seen walking in every nook and cranny of the island. That family has been joined with time by many other individuals. Sometime in 2012, a resident of Babonneau came up with the idea that we should attempt to walk round the island. So, on the morning of Friday, February 22nd 2013 at approximately 4:15 am., thirty eight (38) of us left the Derek Walcott Square for our one (1) stop island walk via the West Coast. We over nighted in VieuxFort and continued on the East Coast from 4:30 on the morning of the 23rd. Although only (4) persons did the entire route, the event created much discussion by the participants; sharing their excitement and experiences. Some thought the walk was the most extraordinary thing that they had ever attempted even if they had not accomplished going all the way. In 2014, we formally registered The Northern Long Distance Walking Group. We have for the last four years made the nonstop walk around the Island an Annual Independence Challenge in observance of our Independence Anniversary. Our vision is to see this activity grow as we look forward to visitors joining our locals in challenging themselves in this annual event. Statics for the past 3 years are as follows.

Year # of Registered Participants 2013 38 2014 89 2015 150 2016 87 2017 125

Male Finishers 4 8 23 34 22

Female Finishers 0 1 6 4 2

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5th annual walk which took place on the anniversary of our thirty eighth (38th) Independence was without a doubt a Happy 38th Independence | 58

resounding success. The walk began on the 21st February at the Massy Store parking lot in Cul-De-Sac. The walkers proceeded via the west coast on to the east coast road to end on the William Peter Boulevard in Castries on the 22nd. All activities and preparations forecasted for the event were seamlessly executed and in some cases even surpassed our expectations. The walk attracted approximately One Hundred and Twenty-five (125) persons from all spheres of society. The participation of women and the youth was an overwhelming feature of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walk. The atmosphere at the starting point was charged with excitement and enthusiasm. We were also graced with the presence of three (3) Parliamentarians namely the Hon. Lenard Montoute, in his capacity as Parliamentary Representative for the North, (Gros Islet), Hon. Fortuna Belrose in her capacity as the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports as well as our advisor in formalizing the group, Hon. Shawn Edwards, former Minister for Sports, Miss Emma Hippolyte, former Parliamentary Representative for the North (Gros Islet) who has blessed us with prayers for the last four (4) years and also Mr. Donovan Williams in his capacity as Chairman of the Independence Committee. To all the participants, volunteers and Government officials we, the members of the Northern Long Distance Walking Group extend a heartfelt thank you as we look forward to your continuous cooperation. All this would not have been possible without the generous contributions from various corporate houses, and to them we extend our heartfelt gratitude and look forward to their continued support as we anticipate the growth of this annual event. Some of our major sponsors include: Government of St Lucia, Digicel, Blue Waters, Invest St Lucia, Massy stores, Massy United Insurance, CGM Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, St Lucia Electricity Services Limited and Johnsons Hardware Limited.

Youth in Culture —YouthSpac

Youth in Culture —YouthSPAC Saint Lucia’s culture, as with all cultural references is at times looked at as a facet of society regulated to a time, space and sometimes an age category. A subset of who we are as a people, but often only placed into consideration for an occasion or tabled event.

probationary period and has been approved by the Management Committee of YouthSPAC.

However, there is one organization which seeks to denote that notion of culture having a time or space, and uses culture as a form of voice, action, education, training and safety for many young adults in Saint Lucia. This relatively young company has been in existence for only seven years but continuously makes a significant impact whenever they are on stage and off.

HIV anti-discrimination campaign utilising Educative Theatre ( focused on Secondary schools throughout St Lucia); UNESCO St Lucia, sensitization on HIV/AIDS discrimination utilising Edudrama and training peer counsellors from Secondary schools in Edudrama and HIV/AIDS facts; PANCAP ‘s Caribbean Regional Stigma and Discrimination Unit (RSDU); Theatre performances and short films for numerous Nobel Laureate Festival Opening Ceremonies and activities; Office of the Governor General St Lucia; Production and Stage Management for National Youth Month Activities; Ministry of Youth Development and Sports; Musical/Choral performance for the Emancipation Day Concert, Tobago; Tobago Department of Culture Cultural performance for the Tobago Belé Festival; Tobago Department of Culture Theatre productions and training workshops; Curriculum and Materials Development Unit, Ministry of Education, St Lucia administrative support for the KAMACUKA (a Caribbean artistes registry) project; Gens de Caribe (Guadeloupe) and CARIBNET (the Caribbean Network of Art Presenters) Youth S.P.A.C and the local affiliates of Arts in Action and performed at the 2015 UNDP Social INNOV4CHANGE project/NYC/ NSC Lucian Leaders Summit.

YouthSPAC stands for Youth Studying Performance and Culture. The organization has been in existence from June 2010 and is registered as a cultural group with the Cultural Development Foundation and as a non profit company. The objectives of Youth SPAC are to afford talented young artistes in the Performing Arts the opportunity to work together in a disciplined performing ensemble where they can hone and exhibit their artistic talent; provide training and performance opportunities in musicianship, acting, singing, production and stage management; provide training in various techniques/methodologies of Performance for Behavioural and Social Change, especially Edudrama and Playback Theatre techniques; ensure exposure to a wide-range of Saint Lucian and Caribbean cultural forms; facilitate performance opportunities locally, regionally and internationally; develop leadership skills in its members to encourage them to play an active role in the development of all aspects of performance and production management in their schools, churches, communities and the region and abroad, thus in this way help raise the general standard of performance in Saint. Lucia. Membership to Youth SPAC is presently opened to anyone between the age of 14 and 35 years interested in developing themselves in accordance to the objectives of the organisation, who meet the requirements of the membership audition, and

YouthSPAC has participated in numerous activities with various organisations including:

The current programs under this dynamic group are, Youth Radio programme on Vybe Radio, She.lc 2017 ( Women’s day production), and Production of Katherine Atkinson’s ‘Requiem of a Bad John’ for the Cultural Development Foundation’s 2017 National Arts Festival. It is safe to say that after celebrating 38 years of political independence, Saint Lucia’s youth are displaying a sense of pride and joy in enacting their culture in various forms. Taking it regionally and internationally. Happy 38th Independence | 59

Overseas St. Lucia Groups

New York City Independence 38 Gala An Elegant Night of Awards and Celebrations Overseas St. Lucia Groups New York City Independence 38 Gala — An Elegant Night of Awards and Celebrations

Awardee - Maggie Victor

Scholarship Recipient - Arlette Butcher The annual Independence Gala, presented collaboratively by the Saint Lucia House Foundation and the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in New York, took place on February 25th at the elegant Woodhaven Manor, New York. Among those honored at the gala was Ms. Alene Mathurin, Saint Lucian author, life coach, and community organizer. In acknowledgment of “her selflessness and dedicated humanitarian efforts,” and particularly for her role as the founder of charity organization 200 Backpacks, which aids underprivileged Caribbean children, Ms. Mathurin was the recipient of the Foundation’s 2017 Humanitarian Award. Ms. Celina “Maggie” Victor and Catherine “Lucretia” Corien also received the foundation’s Community Service Award, for their remarkable contributions to the Saint Lucian community both in New York, and in the Diaspora. Additionally, Vincentian born gospel artist Ms. Monodel Ollivierre received the foundation’s Creative Arts Award, for her service and dedication to the Saint Lucian community in New York, and veteran Saint Lucian musician Martin “Jaunty” Regis was presented with the Foundation’s Lifetime Happy 38th Independence | 60

President’s Award - Cecil St. Jules

Achievement Award for the Arts. During the evening’s event, The Saint Lucia House Foundation announced the recipient of this year’s Dr. Donatus St. Aimee Scholarship Fund award, Lehman College Speech Pathology major Arlette Butcher. Ms. Butcher was presented with a US $1,500.00 check at the Independence 38 gala. The award which is presented annually during the Independence Anniversary celebrations is awarded to a Saint Lucian college student, or a college student of Saint Lucian parentage. His Excellency Donatus St. Aimee is chiefly remembered as a visionary whose unyielding passion for education left an indelible mark on the Saint Lucian community in New York. The establishment of a scholarship fund, then, seems a fitting tribute. Its purpose is to assist deserving students meet the financial challenges of attending college, as well as to deliver a message of goodwill and encouragement on behalf of the late ambassador. In presenting Ms. Butcher with her award, Mr. Matthias Wilkie, President of Saint Lucia House Foundation said, “We always hope that the decisions we make really do make a difference. In Arlette’s case, we are convinced that we have, and we wish her the best in her pursuits. She has already made a difference with her peer tutoring efforts.” This formal affair was the highlight of this year’s calendar of events celebrating the island’s thirty-eighth year of independence from Great Britain. The theme for this year’s gala, “I am Saint Lucia,” featured remarks by Saint Lucia’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Cosmos Richardson.

‘Helenites’ Celebrates

Independence In Washington DC ‘Helenites’ Celebrates Independence In Washington DC By: Cletus Springer

Helenites Church Service “Helenites living in the Washington D.C-metro area turned out in impressive numbers today to celebrate the 38th Anniversary of Saint Lucia’s Independence. The Service, held at the Holy Comforter Church in Maryland was marked by a passionate sermon by Pastor Charles Wynder during which he called on the church faithful to begin a dialogue on a role for the Church as a “sanctuary church” for those in the US who perceive themselves at risk of deportation. The event also marked the maiden address by Saint Lucia’s newly-appointed Permanent representative to the OAS and Ambassador-designate to the US, H.E Anton Edmunds, son of former Ambassador Dr. Edsel Edmunds. In his address, Ambassador Edmunds called on Saint Lucians in the Diaspora to be true to the theme ‘I AM SAINT LUCIA” and to fully support the development process at home, whether as investors, or as advocates in the US for causes supportive of Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean. A third highlight of the event was the soulful renditions of negro spiritual standards by the Church Choir. After the Church service the attendees were treated to a brunch on the church compound.”

Independence activities also included the Annual Gospel Festival, which officially opened the series of celebrations, an Ecumenical Service, a market place designed to give Saint Lucian entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to promote their business, a young Saint Lucian Professional Mixer, a lecture by Ms. Alene Mathurin and concluded with “Saint Lucian Cultural Explosion,” featuring, among others, calypso artist Martin “Jaunty” Regis. L to R Saint. Lucia Consul General to Miami Kent Hippolyte, Minister Stephenson King, P.S. Alison Jean, Ambasador Anton Edmunds Happy 38th Independence | 61

UK Saint Lucians Celebrate 38th Independence Dazzling Award Ceremony and Dance

Chelcie Lewis - St Lucia Tourist Board reading the award citation for Llewella Gideon watched by Bertram Leon, SLPM

UK Saint Lucians Celebrate 38th Independence By: Junior Douglas

Photos: Bertram O Leon

St Lucians in the UK completed a weekend of celebrations and awards to commemorate the island’s 38th year of independence. High Commissioner, Mr Guy Mayers and his family were present to witness several prominent St Lucians residing in the UK being awarded for their contributions in a host of areas, including, community service, film, television, stage and music. This is the second time that such an event (in that format) has been held and it was a huge success. Over 800 guests combined attended the award ceremony and celebration events. The awardees were Brenda Emmanus for TV, Journalism and Broadcasting, Mr Louis St Juste, and Llewella Gideon for Stage and Television, Perry Melius and Nereus Joseph for Music, Mikey Afrique for DJ and Creole Music. Other awarded were Cyrus Desir and Anthony James. Our Lifetime Achievement award went to Mr. Justine and Theresa Moore for their outstanding contribution to the Black and Caribbean community and especially the youth sector. Mr. Moore was recently made a Freeman of the City of London. The event was coHappy 38th Independence | 62

Revellers at the Saint Lucia 38th Independence Anniversary Dance in London, UK

Brenda Emmanus receiving her award from His Excellency Mr. Guy Mayers for her outstanding contribution to TV, Journalism and Broadcasting

The Lyanola Drummers entertaining guests

Nereus Joseph being presented with his award by Victor Romero-Evans for his outstanding contribution to Reggae Music

hosted by Bertram Leon SLPM, Chelcie Lewis from the St Lucia Tourist Board and contributions from Victor Romero Evans, Vibez Nelson and Shyboy Wilson. There was a host of entertainment on the night with Gozilay and Monster from St Lucia both in London as main acts. Davis Martial - The Lucian Entertainment Specialist said: “The awards and celebration was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of our St Lucian nationals, and is a fitting tribute to those who have raised the profile of our community in the UK. It was fantastic to see so many people attended. I would like to personally congratulate all the awardees - Well Done. I would also like to congratulate the team for planning this event. I look forward to working with them again on future events to promote St Lucia”.

Justine Moore, MBE and Theresa Moore being presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by High Commissioner, His Excellency Guy Mayers and Bertram Leon, SLPM for their outstanding contribution to Community Development and Support Happy 38th Independence | 63

Independence Celebrations in Toronto

P.M. Allen M. Chastanet and Family with Ms. Cheryl Francis, new Consul General to Toronto and others (2nd f R)

Independence Celebrations in Toronto Saint Lucia’s 38th Independence Anniversary Gala was celebrated at the Brighton Convention and Event Centre on February 25th, 2017. The event was held under the distinguished Patronage of The Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto. This year’s Independence theme is “I am Saint Lucia” and was hosted by the Saint Lucia Toronto Association (SLTA). The feature address was delivered by the Honourable Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia. The Prime Minister’s family was also in attendance. Among the distinguished guests were Mr. and Mrs. Ken Chitolie of KLC Shipping, a long-time member and sponsor, Mrs. Cheryl Francis, Consul General for Saint Lucia in Toronto, the York Regional Police Force, the Toronto Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services. The following members were recognized for their dedication and services in the community: Mrs. Leo Kaunda-Welch; Mrs. Cherina St. Clair Emmanuel, and Mr. Ross Cadasse, Immediate Past President (SLTA) and President of the Union of St. Lucia Oversees Association (USLOA). The SLTA advised that the success of the celebration was due to the contribution and support of the volunteers, members and friends of the SLTA. The members of the Executive are Charmaine Williams (President), Debbi Lay (Vice President), Lavinia Volney (Secretary), Marla-Didier Nicholas (Treasurer), Beverley Compton-Bradshaw (Director of Programs), Felix Isidore (Director of Membership and PR), and Uhanna Charles Obaizamomwan (Director of Youth). The Independence Day Celebration began with a “Flag-raising Ceremony” at City Hall in Toronto on February 22nd, 2017. The celebration culminated on February 26th, 2017 with a Church Service at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church with the Prime Minister and the Consul General in attendance. Happy 38th Independence | 64

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Sir Dwight Venner

Tributes to Sons of Saint Lucia Tributes to Sons of Saint Lucia - Sir Dwight Venner

By: Sir George Alleyne. Chancellor, The University of the West Indies UWI: In Tribute to our Late Chairman, Sir K. Dwight Venner I had just returned from my walk on the beach where I watched the rosy fingered dawn herald the rising of a brilliant Caribbean sun to open my computer and learn of the setting of another brilliant Caribbean son. Caribbean, he was by birth and inclination and brilliant he showed himself to be through decades of persistent and insistent efforts to foster the growth and human development of his beloved OECS, not only for their sake but for the benefit of the wider Caribbean. Sir Dwight Venner had died. We spoke at length just about ten days before, when we discussed his health and he assured me that he was willing and able to continue as Chair of the Campus Council of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Open Campus and he looked forward eagerly to our University Council meeting in April. He spoke of his new library and the opportunity it gave him to sit and watch the Caribbean Sea and write about our non-aqueous ties and the nature and possible solution of some of our most pressing problems. But as was customary, our conversation quickly moved towards the past and the future of the Caribbean people. He described again with nostalgic detail the day when he felt that his destiny was settled. Philip Sherlock - one of the fathers of The UWI and one of the most convincing expositors of the inevitability of what he would describe as “a mighty puissant nation” visited his High School in St. Lucia and spoke or rather sang of the future that a West Indian University could play in a nascent West Indian polity. Dwight was convinced that it was on that day the mold of his future academic career was cast and it was to be in the valley of Mona. And so he became a Mona man and felt his West-Indianness grow within him there. Of course, he had Caribbean genes that were more than biological. His father was the first Secretary of the Caribbean Development Bank when another great St. Lucian-Sir Arthur Lewis was President. The tragedy of a death often lies in the perception and persistence of the loss and the extent to which the one we know is missed and mourned. But if it is true that a man never dies until the last man calls his name, then we can be sure that Dwight Venner’s death will be a long time coming. His name will be called often by those who practice in the field of Caribbean human development and although his métier was the economic dimension Dwight knew and felt deeply that that our full development as a people embraced other dimensions. Many who listened to him in various fora, as I have, would be moved by his concern as to whether the lads who were in charge would be deaf to the imperatives which he saw so clearly. He would speak always with passion and sometimes with impatience about the examples of collective action in the OECS which were not being replicated and expanded into the wider CARICOM region. I will cite such an imperative that is one of the many which arose arise out of his commitment to cooperative and collective Caribbean action. The Eastern Caribbean Drug Scheme which, at least when I knew it, was hailed as the only successful example in the Americas of a group of countries coming together to acquire drugs at lower prices by collective purchasing. This was possible mainly because of the backing and guarantee given by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and its President Dwight Venner. The UWI is proud to claim him as one of its brilliant Pelicans. He wears our honorary degree with pride and has never been reticent about proclaiming his academic lineage. We hope that his name will be called loudly and often for a long time by the Caribbean citizens who owe him so much. We also hope that the grief of his family will be assuaged somewhat by the knowledge of our appreciation of what he did and what represented among us. Happy Happy37th 38thIndependence Independence| 66 | 66

Chris Renwick

“My disenchantment with all adjectives is depending, a certain sign of age.” (Walcott) Finding the appropriate words and the right time to pay homage to people who have made an important contribution to our lives, and are now no longer with us, is virtually impossible. We wish that we could have expressed these feelings when they were still alive, when we were touched by their kindness and amazed by their strength, but we remained silent, hoping that there would always be time. “It’s what others do, not us, die” Christopher Renwick (1938-2016) died peacefully in his hospital bed in Trinidad, with his wife Marjorie at his side, early on December 17th. His family, in Saint Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, North Carolina and elsewhere had maintained a compassionate and hopeful vigil that he would recover from the surgery that he had elected to undergo, for their sake, but it was not to be. He now becomes “part of the increasing loss that is the daily dial of the revolving shade”.

Chris Renwick Chris Renwick

By: Richard Peterkin

Chris was a colossus of commerce in Saint Lucia, and his story needs no retelling here. His career has been extolled in business journals. He has been honored by his Country (OBE, 2008), his peers , and by Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow). His business, Renwick & Company Limited, which celebrated 50 years this year, is heralded for its philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. He had personally experienced the grief that his family and friends now bear, having lost a father at a tender age, and a son in his prime, but it made him stronger. “We never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” Chris’s legacy of love includes a devoted wife, son and daughter, their spouses, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, a brother, sister, godchildren and many other relatives. He embraced his employees, customers, suppliers, colleagues and friends as if they were family, with his pragmatic, humble, unassuming, honest, caring and hard-working approach to life. He will forever be an icon and role model for others to emulate. As he now resumes his daily walks in a better place, let’s remember that for every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.

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Cyril Matthew

Remembering the Life of Cyril Thomas Matthew OBE, SLMH (Silver) By Calixte George C.M.G., SLMM (Gold) Cyril Thomas Matthew passed away on November 28, 2016 at his residence in Marisule. Mr Matthew was a well-respected and humble son of the soil who made a significant contribution to the development of Saint Lucia, particularly in the Agricultural and Financial sectors. He served as the Chief Agricultural Officer (Director of Agriculture) and later Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, Cooperatives & Forestry. He gave outstanding and dedicated service to the development of the Banana Industry, particularly in his role as General Manager and Operations Manager of the Saint Lucia Banana Growers’ Association (SLBGA) and as Managing Director of the Windward Islands Banana Association (WINBAN). He also played a pivotal role in the formation of the Windward Islands Banana Development & Exporting Company (WIBDECO), now WINFRESH. Mr Matthew was also active in improvement of the welfare of public servants generally. He served as President of the Civil Service Association for about a decade and was a member of the Saint Lucia Civil Service Consumer Association and the Saint Lucia Cooperative Credit Union, where he held the position of General Manager for more than ten years. Mr Matthew also served on the Boards of Management of several important national organisations including the Saint Lucia Agricultural & Industrial Bank, the Saint Lucia Banana Growers’ Association, the Saint Lucia Agriculturalists’ Association, the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, the Saint Lucia Development Bank, the Saint Lucia Cooperative Bank (now 1st National Bank), the Saint Lucia Water Authority (now the Water & Sewerage Company, WASCO), the Saint Lucia National Development Corporation (now Invest Saint Lucia). He also served on the Board of Directors of the Windward Islands Packaging Company (WINERA). Mr Matthew was the first chairman of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards and served as a commissioner on the Income Tax Appeals Commission as well as a member of the Public Service Board of Appeal. Mr Matthew was a long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia. He was a member of the Gros Islet Roman Catholic Church Vestry, a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr Matthew was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen as a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Saint Lucia Government bestowed him with the Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (Silver) by Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy. Mr Matthew is survived by his wife Laurentia, eight children namely Steiner, Gwyneth, Darwin, Ryan, Andre, Sygna, Sygnus, Remus and by several others of the Matthew, Hippolyte and Girard families. Happy 38th Independence | 68

THE EMBASSY OF MEXICO CONGRATULATES THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA ON THE CELEBRATION OF THE 38TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR INDEPENDENCE Embassy of Mexico

Happy 38th Independence Saint Lucia

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St. Lucia Solid Waste

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List of Saint Lucia Overseas Missions New York/United Nations

Saint Lucia Permanent Mission to the United Nations 800 2nd Avenue 9th Floor, N.Y.10017 New York U.S.A. Tel: +1 (212) 697-9360 Fax: +1 (212) 697-4993 Email: slumission@aol.com Ambassador: H.E.Cosmos Richardson

United Kingdom

Saint Lucia High Commission 1 Collingham Gardens Earls Court London SW5 0HW Tel: + (44) 207 370-7123 Fax: + (44) 207 370-1905 Email: enquiries@stluciahcuk.org Web: www.stluciahcuk.org High Commissioner :H.E. Guy Mayers

Miami

Consulate General of Saint Lucia 3700 Cocoplum Circle Coconut Creek FL 33063 MIAMI Tel: +1 (305) 586-3076 Fax: +1 (954) 977-7660 Consul General: Mr. Kent Hippolyte

Washington

Embassy of Saint Lucia to the United States and OAS 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20016 U.S.A. Tel: +1 (202) 364-6792/95 Fax: +1 (202) 364-6723 Email: eofsaintlu@aol.com Ambassador: H.E. Anton Edmunds

Toronto

Consulate of Saint Lucia 65 Overlea Blvd. Suite 250 Toronto, ON M4H 1P1 Canada Tel: +1 (416) 203-8400 Fax: +1 (416) 203-8486 E-mail: infoslutorconsulate@rogers.com Consul General: Mrs. Cheryl Francis

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Cuba

Embajada de Santa Lucia en la Republica de Cuba Calle 12 No. 551, entre 5ta y 7ma, Miramar Ciudad Habana Cuba Tel : + (537) 206 9609 Fax : + (537) 206 9610 E-mail : embslu@enet.cu : embslu@yahoo.com Ambassador : H.E. Dr. Charles Issac

French Departments of the Americas Consulat Général de Ste Lucie 3 Rue de La Libération 97200 Fort de France Martinique Tel : + (596) 596 71 83 50 Fax : + (596) 596 63 82 58 Email: consulateofsaintlucia@wanadoo.fr

Taiwan

Embassy of Saint Lucia 333 Keelung Road , Taipei World Trade Centre 24th Floor, Section 1 Suite#2407 Taipei City Tel: +(8862) 2757-6900 Fax: +(8862) 2757-6800 Email: sluembassy.tw@gmail.com Ambassador : H.E. Mr. Hubert Emmanuel

List of Countries With Which Saint Lucia has Diplomatic Relations St. Lucia has established diplomatic relations with almost 100 countries in every corner of the world since Independence in 1979. The island is also a member of all international governmental organizations associated with the United Nations (UN), as well as a member of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Following is a complete list of all the countries with which St. Lucia has Diplomatic Relations:

Country

Year

Albania 2010 Antigua and Barbuda 1983 Argentina 1979 Armenia 2000 Australia 1979 Austria 1999 Azerbaijan (Republic of) 2010 Bahamas, Commonwealth of the 1979 Barbados 1982 Bangladesh 1983 Belarus 2000 Belgium 1980 Belize 1988 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013 Brazil (Federative Republic of) 1979 Brunei 1996 Canada 1979 China (Taiwan), Republic of 2007 Chile 1991 Colombia 1979 Costa Rica 1991 Croatia 1997 Cuba 1979 Cyprus 1980 Czech Republic 1996 Denmark 1982 Dominica, Commonwealth of 1979 Dominican Republic 1988 Ecuador 1980 El Salvador 1995 Estonia (Republic of) 2009 Egypt (Arab Republic of) 2010 Finland 2009 France, Republic of 1980 Germany, Federal Republic of 1979 Georgia 2010 Greece, Hellenic Republic 1980

Country

Year

Grenada 1982 Guatemala 1992 Guyana – Cooperative Republic of 1979 Haiti 1979 Honduras 1992 Hungary 2005 Holy See 1984 Iceland, Republic of 2006 India 1982 Indonesia 1994 Iraq 1980 Ireland 2000 Israel 1982 Italy 1979 Jamaica 1979 Japan 1980 Kazakhstan, Republic of 2012 Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of 1979 Korea, Republic of 1979 Kosovo (Republic of) 2011 Kuwait 1996 Latvia, Republic of 2006 Libya (Great Socialist People’s Arab Jamahiriya) 2009 Lithuania 2009 Luxembourg (The Grand-Duchy of) 2009 Macedonia, Republic of 2000 Malaysia 1992 Malta 2010 Maldives, Republic of 2011 Marshall Islands, Republic of 1992 Mauritius (Republic of) 2014 Mexico 1979 Mongolia 2014 Montenegro 2010 Morocco 1988

Country

Year

Netherlands 1980 New Zealand 2013 Nicaragua 1992 Norway 1990 Oman (Sultanate of) 1984 Panama 1995 Paraguay 1993 Peru 1985 Poland 2000 Portugal 1996 Qatar (State of) 2013 Romania 1979 Russia 2004 Saint Kitts and Nevis (Federation) 1983 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1979 Saudi Arabia 2000 Singapore 1994 Seychelles 1988 Slovakia, Republic 2009 Slovenia, Republic of 2005 South Africa 1997 Sovereign Order of Malta 1999 Spain 1985 Suriname 1980 Sweden 1981 Switzerland 2005 Tajikistan 2005 Thailand 1989 Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of 1979 Turkey, Republic of 2005 Ukraine 2010 United Arab Emirates 2010 United States of America 1979 United Kingdom 1979 Uruguay 1989 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 1980

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Index of Advertisers Company Atwell Dalgliesh Co. (St. Lucia) Ltd. Automotive Art Bank of Saint Lucia Buck Eye St. Lucia Terminal Ltd. Cable & Wireless Consolidated Foods Cool Breeze Jeep and Car Rental Cultural Development Foundation Eastern Caribbean Insurance Ltd. Embassy of Mexico Financial Investment & Consultancy Services Ltd. (FICS) General Security Services Ltd. Grant Thornton Humming Bird Beach Resort Kings Oceans Services Laborie Co-Operative Credit Union Ltd. Libyan Embassy in Saint Lucia Mampa Training Institute Michel’s Customs Brokerage Raj Communications Renee’s Construction Sandals Resorts St. Lucia Civil Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd. (LUCELEC) St. Lucia Mortgage & Finance St. Lucia National Archives St. Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority St. Lucia Teachers’ Credit Co-operative Ltd. The Print Factory United Shipping Agencies Water and Sewage Company Inc (WASCO) West Indies General

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