The Virgin Islands Humanities Council Announces Plans For 2006 "We The People" Grant Initiative
Date: February 13, 2006 | Press Release: #06-002
The National Endowment for the Humanities in support of the ?We The People? project awarded the Virgin Islands Humanities Council a grant of $30,980 in September of 2005. The goal of this grant / project is to encourage and strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history and culture through which we ultimately define ourselves as Americans. The Humanities Council project is entitled, ?U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People?s Continued Quest for Self- Governance.?
The first "We The People" event will be a live televised forum on February 28th at 8:30 p.m. on TV2 / Talk2 with host Attorney Amos Carty, Jr. The forum is intended to give an objective overview of the previous Virgin Islands Constitutional Conventions. The panelists will include: Mr. Basil Ottley, Jr. ? Political Analyst, Attorney Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine ? Legal Scholar, Dr. Ruth Beagles ? Former Convention Delegate, and Ms. Lorna Thomas ? Board of Elections Representative. The live forum is intended to create public awareness on the past constitutions drafted for and by the people of the Virgin Islands.
In May, a Chautauqua Series will present three of the six Virgin Islands ?Queens:? Queen Breffu of the St. John Revolt of 1733-34, Queen Mary of St. Croix?s Fireburn of 1878 and Queen Coziah, who started the St. Thomas Mexican Silver Riot of 1892. A Chautauqua is a first person historical characterization or monologue based on biographies and historical information. It includes questions and answers during the performance. The Chautauqua Series will be presented on all three islands.
The 2006 Heftel Lecture in September will focus on women?s role in the past, present and future of Virgin Island Self-Governance. The Council will invite a notable speaker to present on women?s suffrage, and Virgin Islands scholar to focus on local suffragettes. They will also present the roles that women have played, and continue to play, in self-determination.
In October, new WTP Web page will be created on the VIHC website and linked to educational institutions in the community. The web page will contain a chronology of Virgin Islands historical events and persons pertinent to the quest for self-governance. A workshop will be conducted for public high school teachers on how to use the materials.
?The Council is in need of additional funding to assist with the education process on the issues of status and constitutional convention. We would certainly appreciate sponsorship of any of the events to ensure that each activity is adequately realized," explained Mabel J. Maduro, Executive Director of the Council.
For further information, call the Virgin Islands Humanities Council at 776-4044.