2007 Annual Report
Message from the Executive Director
The year 2007 was innovative and progressive for the Virgin Islands Humanities Council. The power of the humanities to transform the civic and cultural infrastructure was demonstrated by the Council by way of its proactive programming . According to Mr. Donovan Rypkema, President of Heritage Strategies International and Keynote Speaker at the 2007WTP Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference "I don’t know another Humanities Council that has elevated itself to have this kind of level of breadth of issues and influence on the decision makers than does the Humanities Council of the Virgin Islands."
Expertise, engagement and empowerment prevailed throughout the year. Partnerships were established on all levels. These partnerships ran the gamut; from the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the V.I. Delegate to Congress, international experts, elected officials, and tourism industry stake holders to scholars, teachers, cultural bearers, artisans, entrepreneurs and school age youth.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Please continue to assist us by volunteering, giving and promoting the importance of the humanities as the basis for sustaining and expanding valuable educational and community development programs that impact the lives our diverse population in 2008 and years to come!
Best Wishes,
Mabel J. Maduro
Executive Director
Fiscal Report
| Statement of Revenues and Expenditures Fiscal Year 2007, November 1, 2006 - October 31, 2007 |
|
|---|---|
| SUPPORT & REVENUES | |
| National Endowment for the Humanities | $260,963 |
| Gifts, Publications, and other income | $57,327 |
| Other Grants | $61,280 |
| Interest Income | $313 |
| Total Support and Revenues | $379,883 |
| EXPENDITURES | |
| Regrant Awards | $30,648 |
| Program Service | $145,604 |
| Management and General Support | $203,631 |
| Total Expenditures | $379,883 |
| Difference | $0 |
VIHC Partnerships
In 2007 the Virgin Islands Humanities Council galvanized a host of new partners by creating opportunities for our diverse population to work together to shape plans and decisions for the future of the Virgin Islands community.
We the People Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference: A wide range of public and private sector supporters generously gave of their financial and physical resources to ensure the success of a vanguard event whose impact will serve as a vital factor in shaping the economic future of the Virgin Islands territory. VIHC conference partners included the Governor of the Virgin Islands, John P. deJongh, Jr., West Indian Company, Delegate to Congress, Donna M. Christensen, the V.I. Department of Tourism, VI Council on the Arts, Economic Development Authority, and Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
90th Transfer Day Commemoration Activities: VIHC partnered with the Government of the Virgin Islands and STT-STJ Friends of Denmark. “Transfer Day Perspectives”, produced by the Council and Studio Five, was aired on WTJX Channel 12 during the weeklong events held in March 2007. The documentary examines the on-going struggle of Virgin Islanders to attain full U.S. citizenship.
St. Croix Farmers in Action: VIHC presented valuable information to an audience of over 100 people, at the VI History Month Forum held at the Educational Complex in March 2007. VIHC presented information on the significant role and contributions of Casper Holstein as president of the Virgin Islands Congressional Council and about his efforts to make Virgin Islanders aware of the importance of self-governance.
Upcoming Events for 2008
| January 1 | Mini Grant Application Deadline | St. Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| February | Restaging of Three Queens/Chautauqua Series | St. Thomas/St. Croix |
| March 1 | Mini Grant Application Deadline | St. Thomas |
| March 19-20 | NEH Site Assessment Visit | St. Thomas |
| April 15 | General Meeting | St. Thomas |
| May 1 | Mini Grant Application Deadline | St. Thomas |
| May | Grant Workshop | |
| May 22 | Heath Award | St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix |
| July 2 | Mini & Major Grant Application Deadline | St. Thomas |
| July 26 | General Meeting on Planning & Self Assessment | St. Croix |
| August | Grant Workshop | |
| September 3 | Mini Grant Application Deadline | St. Thomas |
| September 13 | General Meeting | St. Thomas |
| September | VI Voices Book Festival/Lecture Series | St. Thomas |
| September | New Teacher Orientation | St. Thomas/St. Croix |
| October | Arts and Humanities Festival | St. Thomas |
| October | Miniquest | St. Thomas, St. Croix |
| November 1 | Major & Mini Grant Application Deadline | St. Thomas |
| November | National Humanities Conference | |
| December | Annual Retreat | St. Thomas |
We The People
The National Endowment for the Humanities in support of the “We The People” initiative awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $46,280 in September 2006. The goal of this project was to encourage and strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history and culture through which we ultimately define ourselves as Americans.
The Council’s WTP 2007 project was entitled The Future of the Past: The Business of Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference. It assisted the Virgin Islands in developing trends in cultural heritage tourism and modes of economic empowerment through the celebration of the culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands and the Americas.
The expected outcomes of the conference were met:
- To introduce a new brand of tourism which will bring about social cohesiveness by insuring that future generations continue to learn and understand the culture and heritage.
- To assist the territory in further realizing the need to enhance, develop and manage a successful cultural heritage tourism product.
- To assist the diverse population of the community in becoming an integral part of the tourism industry by emphasizing our traditions and history as significant sources of income.
Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference: September 14-15, 2007
In order to develop trends in cultural heritage tourism and modes of economic empowerment through the celebration of the cultural and heritage of the Virgin Islands and the Americas, a Cultural and Heritage Tourism Conference furthered the groundwork undertaken by local organizations. Two international scholars presented keynote addresses. Approximately 18 scholars and entrepreneurs conducted workshops geared towards the following topics: Arts and Humanities, Historic Preservation, Education and Training, Economic Impact and Accountability, Promotion and Marketing, and Policy.
For highlights on the conference, visit the Council’s website at http://www.vihcwethepeople2007.org
Per Ankh Neteru Kultural Herutage Ankhsamble (PANKHA) Restoration of the Bamboula: A St. Croix Experience
The WTP 2007 Cultural and Heritage Tourism Conference Proceedings
The publication of cultural and heritage tourism information and plans were produced in the form of WTP 2007 proceedings. The professionally edited documents appear on the VIHC website and include summaries and photos of the numerous scholar presentations.
The Virgin Islands Cultural and Heritage Tourism Website
The Humanities Council has established a site, which details the various historical churches, forts and plantation ruins on all three islands. The website maps-out locations and list historical sites according to region and type of heritage tourism product. It will be linked to the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism website. Visit the website link at http://www.vihcheritagetourism.org.
Daniel L. Heftel Lecture: "Geotourism: Traveling to A Better World"
The VIHC established the Daniel L. Heftel Lecture in the Humanities in 1990 to provide a forum for exploring humanities topics of interest and concern to Virgin Islanders. The Council was honored to have a phenomenal woman present for the 2007 Daniel L. Heftel Lecture held at the Carambola Beach Resort in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Dawn Drew is Vice President and Publisher of National Geographic Traveler magazine, a publication that reaches more than 7 million readers with each issue and addresses only the pertinent issues related to leisure travel.
During her near 13 year tenure at the National Geographic Society, Dawn has steered the publication and the brand National Geographic Traveler, to its current leadership position in the industry. It is to date the only major travel publication that addresses “all travel, all the time”, focusing on the facts and information for travelers who want to experience authentic cultures, connect with the natural environment and preserve nature.
Ms. Drew’s scholarly presentation to an audience of over 200 people at the We the People Cultural Heritage Tourism conference resonated with the sentiments and interest of the Virgin Islands residents. Ms. Drew’s message was very informative and inspiring to all.
"Geotourists do not want to see manufactured experiences. They don’t want to come here and experience Italy. They want to come here and experience St. Croix. That calls on everyone in this room to dig deep and find out what’s unique about what you have here."
Ms. Drew talked about several areas of the world that understand geo-tourism: India, South Africa, and Hawaii. These areas market themselves in unique and innovative ways that promote their culture and invite tourists to partake of their cultural and historical offerings—minus the artificial tourist-made events.
For information on the conference proceedings, visit the Council’s website at http://www.vihcwethepeople2007.org.
Heath Award for Teaching Excellence
In memory of Mrs. Geraldine Heath
September 9, 1928 - December 21, 2005
Mrs. Heath’s passion to educate and empower others continues to thrive through the Heath Award for Teaching Excellence
The Heath Award, established in 2003, recognizes the achievement of two public school teachers of grades K–12, one from the St. Thomas/St. John district and the other from the St. Croix district, who have exhibited outstanding ability and unfailing dedication to teaching the humanities.
2007 Heath Award Recipients
Mrs. Néomie Touissant Williams is the choir director at Gladys Abraham Elementary School. The elementary school produced a CD whereby the choir showcased their vocal talents in preserving Virgin Islands’ music. Mrs. Williams spearheaded the CD project entitled, “Folk Music of the Virgin Islands” which was funded by VIHC. She is dedicated to teaching and contributing to the Humanities.
Ms. Anna Marie Gordon has 14 years of contribution to the Humanities. As a seasoned English teacher at St. Croix Central High School, Ms. Gordon’s commitment and love for the discipline has inspired several of her former students to become teachers themselves. She explored other areas in the Humanities through extra-curricular activities which include tutoring her school’s music band, co-chairing students for the Quiz Bowl Team, and directing her church’s youth choir.
Community Grants Program
The 2006 Community grant year awarded $30,648.00 to four organizations in the Virgin Islands. The council was pleased to see several first time applicants participating in its humanities based programs.
Major Grants Awards
"What Yo Say? Yo Want to Be a Virgin Islander Eh? An Overview of Virgin Islands History and Culture."
This five week project was awarded $10,000 to coordinate and execute a teacher’s seminar n Virgin Islands History and Culture. The Virgin Islands Board of Education offered interactive sessions to approximately 250 educational professionals. Each week, participants were asked to complete a project based on the instruction and interaction of that week. Project Director: Mrs. Carol O’Bryan-Henneman
"Liberated Minds"
Strength to Strength was awarded $10,000 to research, film, document, and edit a marketable trailer that will focus on tracing mental slavery as historically exhibited in Ghana and Denmark, and its current development in the Virgin Islands. The project will be completed in 2008. Project Director: Mr. Oliver Harboe
Mini Grants Award
The VIHC awarded Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, Inc. $3,500 for an art exhibit entitled “Taino Culture and Mythology Art Program” that featured artifacts that linked the Crucian and Puerto Rican communities. This project was highlighted in the media in recognition of VI Puerto Rico Friendship Day. Project Director: Ms. Emily Graci
Teacher Incentive Grant Award
The Gladys A. Abraham Elementary School Intermediate Choir was awarded $750 to travel to perform at the Quelbe Festival on St. Croix. The students performed Virgin Islands folk songs, from their first CD recording entitled "Folk Music of the Virgin Islands."
VIHC Publications Program
The Publications Program has been revamped. The new details on the program are as follow:
The VIHC will continue to support publications through its Regrant Program. VIHC’s goal is to develop source materials that will provide a richer pool of information relating to the history and cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands. In the Council’s Regrant Guidelines under the category Development of Source Materials, it states that funding is provided for research, oral history collection and transcription, translations, compilation of bibliographies, and publications. Public programming in connection with source development projects is required.
The Council has supported publications through special projects—funded by NEH grants, NEH matches, and third party gifts and by VIHC grants. At present, 8 titles are included in the Publications Program. The list of titles is as follows:
- Description of the Island of St. Croix in the West Indies
- Emancipation in the US Virgin Islands 150 Years of Freedom 1848-1998
- Hans West’s Account of St. Croix in the West Indies
- Old Time Masquerading in the Virgin Islands
- The Danish West Indian Slave Trade
- The Kamina Folk Slavery and Slave Life in the Danish West Indies
- Various Remarks Collected on and about the Island of St. Croix in America
- Yellow Cedars Blooming
Publication Descriptions
Yellow Cedars Blooming: An Anthology of Twentieth-Century Virgin Islands Poetry
Marvin E. Williams, editor, 1998
A comprehensive collection of poetry from the United States Virgin Islands, organized chronologically into three periods, each period preceded by a critical essay, and each group of poems by a bibliographical statement about the author, with a comprehensive introduction by the editor.
Hans West’s Accounts of St. Croix in the West Indies
Edited by Arnold R. Highfield and translated by Nina York
This work by Hans West, a Danish teacher and scholar, is an overview of the conditions on St. Croix from 1789 to 1793. In it, West describes the education, customs and social obligations of the white residents, as well as the ecology and natural environment of the island. In addition, he reports on the lives of the enslaved.
Old Time Masquerading in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Robert W. Nicholls, 1998
Documentation of masking traditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including the music, dances, and costumes of various traditional masquerades. The book also discusses the educational, communicative and sociopolitical functions, and explores the underlying philosophy, religious elements and spiritual involvement of masking practices.
2007 VIHC Board of Directors
Sheena Conway, Esq. Chair, St. Thomas
Deverita Carty-Sturdivant, Esq., Vice Chair, St. Thomas
Elizabeth Rezende, Ph.D., Secretary, St. Croix
Oswin Sewer, Treasurer, St. John
Annie Smith, St. Thomas
Alscess Lewis-Brown, St. Croix
Wanda Mills-Bocachica, Ph. D., St. Thomas
Percival Edwards, St. Croix
Dennis Parker, St. Thomas
Elaine Jacobs, St. Thomas
Yvonne Rivera, St. Croix
THANKS FOR JOINING US AS WE CONTINUE TO:
- Tell our stories
- Preserve our traditions and
- Develop an informed citizenry