Reflections of SVG Cultural Symposium – New York, 2003

 

On March 8th, when I entered the Mahalia Jackson School and was greeted by my people who presented me and everyone else, with a ‘yellow folder’ which depicts ‘Petroglyph drawings at Yambou’ and large prints “Promoting Cultural Awareness”, I became more excited. Moving along the hallway, there were faces from my distance past and the smiles were genuine, the hugs were warm and sincere. One could feel the strength of “Chatoyer”, a feeling of Unity. In my mind I clenched my fist “Yes! Let’s ‘aspire yet higher’ and reach for the moon together”.

 

The city of New York designated March the 8th as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cultural Day and a plaque commemorating this event was presented to H.E. Ellsworth I. A. John, SVG Ambassador to the United States.

 

Brothers, sisters, parents, children, patriots and friends of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Canadian Diaspora. I felt proud of this, to see that we as a people are recognized by the City of New York.  This inspired me to share with you a bit of my experience at the first annual Symposium in North America for the people of SVG.

 

There was a sense of belonging, a feeling of community accomplishment, the sky has no limit attitude.  This is the beginning of a time that most, if not all of us living in North America have dreamt of.

The message from H. E. Ambassador Ellsworth I.A. John started by saying “A people united with a common goal can achieve much”. He went on saying, “ We can make a difference. Today, we can rededicate ourselves to identifying fully with the culture of the land of our birth, and to work to ensure its survival in a world where important issues for small states like St. Vincent and the Grenadines are largely ignored”

 

The program was reflective of different elements of Vincentian history.  Throwing a bit of light on the arts in the North American Vincentian community.  Absent was Anthony Joyette, Editor of Vincentian Poets 1950-1980 who was to speak on post war poets of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

 

The symposium opened with the National Anthems of Canada sang by Sandra Bobb and myself. Marell Ellis sang the United States anthem and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines anthem was sung by J. Erlene Williams-King. Verna Arthur, the Chairperson made the opening remarks followed by a very deep poem by Maxwell Haywood, “Come Again Chatoyer”. In this poem, he beckoned the ‘spirit of Chatoyer’ to come and re-live in us Vincy people. Listening to the poem sent shivers to my body.

 

Other speakers were Honourable Cosmos Cozier - Consul General to New York and Honourable Renee Baptise - Minister of Tourism and Culture who emphasized the importance of reviving and maintaining an archive of our cultural past.  Mr. Leroy Ellis, playwright who staged a short skit written by himself.  Mr. Franklyn McIntosh, “Frankie” as he is popularly known among Vincentians spoke about the contribution of the McIntoshes to the world of music in the Vincentian, Caribbean and North American Diaspora.  He also gave an idea what music was like in the 1920s, 40s, 50s and 60s when his father and uncles began their creation of a family tradition of musicians.  Yemi Ajamu Khensu (Stephenson Michael) spoke about the Literary Arts.

 

There were panel discussions on History, Literary Arts, Craft, Music and Drama, Dance and Folklore. This was all brought alive in the late afternoon during the Grand Finale performance before an audience of over five hundred spectators and participants from Boston, Miami, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington and New York.

 

The audience was first taken on a journey back to the times of our hero 'Chatoyer' with performance in the Garifuna language and dances, followed by myself, who read "Caribbean Dawn" one of my recent pieces, which took the audience back to those days of reliance on the Fowl Cock crows; to remind us that it is the dawn of the morning and the processes in getting ready with the dependence on light of a small lamp.  Chantal Butler, Henria Stephens and Aisha Hadaway, three of our popular dancers from Toronto did some interpretive dancing entitled “Back in Times” to the rhythms and lyrics of a medley of calypso mixed, by Lord Kitchener. There was a feeling of euphoria and pride to look at the culture conscious youths of Toronto expressing a sense of heritage.  Thanks to Mr. E. B. John, Consulate SVG Toronto and Mr. Clem Ballah, Consulate Attaché for Economics and Trade also of Toronto for their support and encouragement to the Vincentian community of Canada.

 

The day ended with a Vincy dance at the Club Malika where we danced until the wee hours of Sunday morning.

 

Taking part in the event was an experience I would always cherish.  It shows that our Government is trying its endeavour to create traditions for our Vincentian heritage. I feel symposiums and events as such would bring us as a people in North America closer together. Kudos to the organizers. It would be nice to see such meeting become an annual event where talent from St. Vincent and the Grenadines is represented.  I hope you will not miss it next year.                                                             .            

Written by Elma Gabriel  

Send your comments to: (elma.gabriel@sympatico.ca)

 

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