Messenger of Chatoyer

The accolade bestowed on Prime Minister Gonsalves last Friday at the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Dorsetshire Hill by the Garifuna Heritage Foundation as the “Messenger of Chatoyer”, our revered National Hero, is one well deserved when one examines his actions in leading the ULP government in its continuing mission of proper respect for the actions of Chatoyer and the Garifuna people in defending the sovereignty of our country and our people’s right to such sovereignty. It reflects the appreciation and admiration of the policies and actions expounded and taken by Dr Gonsalves and his government in regard to issues pertaining to national heritage and reparative justice.

That by no means says that all is well in that regard, nor is the Prime Minister and his government faultless in their pursuit of these goals. There are and will be,shortcomings and inconsistencies and there will be some, me included, who would like to see more. But this by no stretch of the imagination, belittles what has been

done so far, especially considering the political and social context and where we were before 2001.

It is a deserved award, but it carries with it the weight of responsibility. However much it is certainly appreciated by the Prime Minister; he cannot afford to rest on his laurels. The acquisition of Balliceaux alone and commitment to make it into a shrine to those thousands who perished there as a result carries with it a massive commitment to completion for such a small country, even as the global climate is beginning to turn sour.

When the hiccups appear there will be no shortage of people, some well-meaning but short-sighted, who will question why we are expending resources on such an ambitious venture. Little consideration will be given to the fact that those who perished in the heroic Garifuna defence of our independence and in the genocide and ethnic cleansing which followed, paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Chatoyer’s Messenger is no mere messenger in practical terms, for he has the keys to the political kingdom and is therefore in a position to make use of the opportunities at hand to build on Chatoyer’s legacy.

How can he?

First, by becoming a more focused and forceful Messenger to his Cabinet colleagues and government.

This is not a one-man show, every one of his colleagues, every department of government must throw their weight behind the venture. Thus, the Ministry of Education has obvious responsibilities to promote a deeper understanding of what Chatoyer and the Garifuna were all about, to take a leading role in developing knowledge and understanding of our history and hence our continuing collective role today. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must see relations with the Garifuna community abroad as a special and sacred undertaking and particularly, in relation to Balliceaux, the Ministry of Health and the Environment would have quite naturally, specific roles. Two thousand plus of our forebears died on Balliceaux because of its inhospitability, so need I say more?

Chatoyer’s Messenger heads a powerful political force, the Unity Labour Party, which as we have seen has potent mobilisation capacities. Sadly, these have been too limited to election campaigns and not enough to national tasks. The Messenger should convey the message that, starting with the ULP’s groups in Garifuna communities, there must be active involvement of the ULP and its members in the ongoing legacy efforts.

Where will the continuity on the Garifuna project stand if, God forbid, for one reason or another, Ralph Gonsalves is unable to continue to lead? From where will the continuity, the initiative and enthusiasm arise?

The Messenger must not let the parliamentary Opposition content itself with lip-service support. Deliver Chatoyer’s message of inclusion, for this is a national project. They can disagree on many current issues and have alternative ideas for development, but, especially as the NDP has support in Garifuna/Kalinago communities, they must become actively involved too.

A similar message must be delivered to the nation as a whole. This must be a NATIONAL UNDERTAKING, not one only for Garifuna and Kalinago people. Civil society, the private sector, the labour movement and the influential evangelical community all must get the message of involvement. This is not about the Messenger, but the message and its significance.

Not to be left out must be our citizens in the diaspora. Already there are organized Garifuna groups out there so the message must get to them too. I have already mentioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its outreach to the Garifuna community in Central and North America. All in all,we must be reminded that the Garifuna heritage undertaking is part and parcel of the global campaign for reparative justice. SVG and the Garifuna/Kalinago have special responsibilities in this regard.

Finally, to Chatoyer’s Messenger. It was good to hear you express your appreciation of the award and accolade above all the others bestowed on you over the years. Besides the honour, it also confers on you the responsibility for relaying the message and justification for “righting the historical wrongs” against our local, indigenous population. Convey to your government and to the people of our country, and especially to the United Kingdom, that the indigenous people are owed much for the crimes against them.

Chatoyer’s Messenger: Wear your title with pride. You can now dispense with the childish “World Boss” title and the six-star General. You are no Kartel, you are now the revered Messenger of our National Hero.

• Renwick Rose is a Social and Political commentator.