SHRC recommends crucial role for community involvement in heritage research on Statia
The Statia Heritage Research Commission (SHRC) in its final report to the Public Entity St. Eustatius on the Golden Rock excavation project recommends a centralized administrative structure in cooperation with the relevant heritage entities, combined with a regular interactive public information service. This approach will provide a crucial role for community involvement at all stages of heritage research. SHRC also suggests the creation of a formal Government Heritage Agency, hereby giving the Public Entity St. Eustatius greater responsibility and control.
In addition, procedures, policies, and administrative implementation formats must be upgraded to international standards. Also, a centralized administrative structure is recommended in cooperation with the relevant heritage entities, combined with a regular interactive public information service. This approach will provide a crucial role for community involvement at all stages of heritage research.
Heritage inspector
SHRC also recommends an official position for a Heritage Inspector within the government Heritage Agency, for qualified maintenance of the responsibilities regarding heritage research, management of heritage sites, and expanded education of heritage on St. Eustatius.
For Statians to be more active within this proposed structure, SHRC furthermore suggests university scholarships and local educational programs, specifically for Statians to follow heritage careers. As an innovative approach, SHRC also recommends a community space Memorial concept, a place where respect is given to the remains of the ancestors, having them reinterred at a dedicated Memorial space on St. Eustatius, allowing recognition for both the legacy of the ancestors, and as inspiration for the next generation of Statians.
Embrace recommendations
Government Commissioner Alida Francis thanks the members of SHRC for its expert work which has resulted in the report. “We fully embrace the recommendations and I am convinced that our approach to archeological work will be much improved. Statia will be a shining example for the rest of the Caribbean.”
Francis mentioned an immediate end to any further excavation of human remains from the Golden Rock Burial Ground site until the remains that have already been removed are properly dealt with and re-interred. “I also wish to further announce that within the next six months or so, we plan to recruit a Heritage Inspector to oversee implementation, including inspections, of archaeological projects,” says the Government Commissioner who thanked everyone for their patience over the past six months. “It has been a challenging, yet eye-opening journey. One that has taught us a lot about ourselves as a people, about the importance of working in unison, and about opening our ears to the ancestors – as the African proverb says – so we can understand the language of spirits.”
The report was presented to the Central Committee of the Island Council, yesterday, Thursday, January 27th, 2022 by Dr. Jay Haviser, as Chair of the SHRC, with assistance from Ms. Xiomara Balentina, Mr. Ishmael Berkel, Mr. Paul Spanner and Mr. Raimie Richardson as Statian members of the SHRC. Presentations to key stakeholders and the general public were given on the same day. “The real work begins now where souccing of funding planning, preparing and implementing the recommendations requires a collaborative approachsays Government Commissioner Alida Francis.
