Maroon symposium on today at UWI Regional Headquarters
Published:Thursday | January 9, 2025 | 12:10 AMPaul H. Williams/Gleaner Writer
The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) will host a symposium on the Maroons of Jamaica at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Regional Headquarters, along Mona Road in St Andrew, under the theme, ‘Maroons of Jamaica: Our Legacies – Telling Our Own Truths’.
Scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, this ‘Maroons of Jamaica: A Celebration of Legacy and Self-Determination’ event “will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary history, cultural heritage, and contemporary relevance of Jamaica’s Maroon communities”, the producers said.
In investigating historical inaccuracies, it will address “long-standing challenges and misconceptions about Maroon communities to refine regional reparations advocacy”, exploring topics, such as cultural preservation, self-governance, and reparations.
“The Maroons of Jamaica are not only a cornerstone of the island’s history, but also a beacon of resistance and cultural preservation in the African diaspora,” the organisers said.
“This symposium provides a platform to explore their invaluable contributions while addressing their unique challenges within the broader reparation’s agenda. It also aims to promote an authentic understanding of their legacy, enhancing advocacy for indigenous and African-ascended peoples throughout the region.”
The symposium will consist mainly of dynamic panel discussions from Professor Hilary Beckles of The UWI and CARICOM Reparations Commission; Paul Jones Eganda and Grace Eganda, founders of AIDO Network International; Dr Hilary Brown of CARICOM Secretariat and GADK; Queen Vicky Lextar Okang-Sowah, of the Omanye Royal Kingdom; Dr Chenzira Davis Kahina of AIDO, GADK and CPAN; Colonel Wallace Sterling of the Moore Town Maroons; Chief Richard Currie of the Accompong Town Maroons; and Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere of the Scott’s Hall Maroons.
Also slated to speak are Acting Colonel Delano ‘Padam’ Douglas of the Charles Town Maroons; Chief Kanute Cameron of the Flagstaff Maroons; Gaa’maa Gloria Simms of the Maroon Women’s Network; Ambassador Anu El of the Accompong Town Maroons; Sydney Bartley, consultant and culture expert; Bert Samuels, attorney-at-law, National Council on Reparations; Bev Carey, researcher and Maroon expert; Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Centre for Reparation Research; and Attorney-at-law Dr Marcus Goffe of The UWI Faculty of Law.
‘RIGHTS OF CARIBBEAN PEOPLES OF AFRICAN DESCENT’
The symposium is a collaborative effort between the CRC in association with the Centre for Reparation Research at The UWI, the Maroon communities of Jamaica, AIDO Network International, the Global African Diaspora Kingdom and Omanye Royal Kingdom.
“The CRC champions the rights of Caribbean peoples of African descent, advocating for reparative justice and amplifying the narratives of historically marginalised communities,” noted the organisers.
“The symposium underscores the right to define, name, create, and speak for oneself, mirroring the resilient spirit of the Maroon people who created independent communities during Jamaica’s colonial era. By examining the contributions of the Maroons through a lens of unity and advocacy, the symposium seeks to enrich the Caribbean’s ongoing reparations dialogue.”
They also noted, “This landmark event is a call to action for community members, academics, policymakers, and the global Jamaican diaspora to celebrate and advocate for the enduring legacy of the Maroons. Together, we can ensure that their truths are heard, and their cultural heritage is preserved for generations to come.”
The event is open to the public and may be viewed from the livestream at www.uwitv.global and www.facebook.com/uwitv.