Community engagement project from the Faro program (Dutch working title: Betrokkenheid erfgoedgemeenschap bij bedreigd erfgoed slavernijverleden Sint Eustatius)

Goal

The main goal of this initiative was increasing the involvement of the inhabitants of St. Eustatius in the endangered heritage of the slavery past. We focused on knowledge exchange, awareness, community building, and better handling of this heritage in connection to its community.

The majority of the population of St. Eustatius is of Afrikan descent. Yet this perspective is lacking in the care of (archaeological) cultural heritage in general and the reburial/remembrance of our Afrikan Ancestors in particular.

The goal of this project was to support the community in forming and expressing its perspective. The project would not have been possible without the work of the Statia Cultural Heritage and Implementation Committee (SCHIC)  in which the Alliance participates.

Results

• Webinar ‘Preserving Endangered & Marginalized Afrikan Cultural Heritage’ with Prof. Dr. Nemata Blyden, Associate Professor Dr. Kimani Nehusi and Dr. Artwell Cain

• Four community gatherings and an exhibition of artist Frederick Calmes

  1. November 6: Gathering for Island Council and Executive Council members
  2. November 11: Community gathering in the Lion’s Den
  3. November 12/13: Exhibition artwork Frederick Calmes in the Public Library 
  4. November 19: Community gathering in the Heritage House, Paramiraweg
     • Check out our YouTube video for the tour inside the Heritage House by Raimie Richardson and marjolijn kok
     • Read the transcript of this YouTube video
• Podcast series with synopses and short biographies of the speakers, also broadcasted on Radio Statia 
• Guidelines for Afrikan Descendant Community Engagement in the Heritage Field (2025)
• Walk to the Afrikan burial grounds Godet, Congo, and Golden Rock for a libation and placing flowers and candles to honor our Ancestors
• Article by Annina van Neel Statia: Relentless, Unending, Blackness
• Expert meeting on May 19, 2025 at the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) in Amersfoort with experts in the cultural heritage field, Tim de Haan (UNESCO Netherlands Committee), Daudi Cijntje (Archol), and Kenneth Cuvalay (Chairman of the Alliance)
• Reflecting on the process and outcomes of the project (tba)