‘Territory Day is not just a day to have fun’- Janice Brathwaite-Edwards
This is according to Vincent O. Wheatley, Sister Islands Programme Coordinator, who was at the time a guest on the ZBVI 780 AM radio programme, Umoja, with host Cromwell Smith on June 15, 2017 to discuss why the Virgin Islands (VI) celebrates Territory Day.
According to Mr Wheatley, former Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE viewed Territory Day as one of the most sacred days in VI history. “A committee was formed to really bring forward the feelings and the thoughts of why we celebrate Territory Day. Why Territory Day even exist and what is really means to us as a people. In terms of determining our future and where we came from.”
Not just a day to have fun
Meanwhile, Janice Brathwaite-Edwards, City Manager, who was also a guest on the radio programme, stated that Territory Day is not just a day to have fun. It’s a day in which the community can become aware of how and why the VI became a territory.
“We are actually trying to see how we can stir the consciousness of Virgin Islanders. Giving an opportunity to understand how we can subdue to challenges and change as this economic situation hurls over us. What happens in the United States and what happens in Europe affects us even if it’s subtly. We need to be in a position to understand how we can be resilient under those kinds of circumstances. So that’s kind of where we are heading this year.”
This drew a response from the host, who commented that there are some external pressure on the Virgin Islands and they (people) need to have a stronger sense of nationalism and patriotism.
Mr Wheatley observed that the external factors that are affecting the VI are nothing new. However, the people of the territory have always been able to respond and bounce back.
Not in control
Mr Smith suggested that the VI is in a different situation now, than it was back then. He recalls, during his era, the VI was in control of its destiny. “We provided food, clothing and shelter for ourselves. We owned our economy. We were not in debt up to our eye balls and we did not depend on external sources to provide food, clothing and shelter for us.”
Sister Islands Coordinator, Mr Wheatley pointed out that many persons in the VI are not aware of how the territory got to where it is presently.
Mr Wheatley, explained that the VI is an overseas territory and at one point the territory was a part of the Leeward Island Federation.
“In 1956, the Leeward Island Federation was dissolved and at that time, the BVI became a colony. What that meant was, before 1956, we didn’t decide much by ourselves what happened to us. There was a governor who resided in Antigua and any decision that needed to be made concerning the BVI future, had to go through Antigua and also London and then came back to us.”
This year’s Theme
Mr Wheatley announced that the theme for this year is “a territorial awakening; resilience in the time of challenges and changes.”
“We want to use the opportunity to stir the consciousness of the people of the Virgin Islands. As we reflect on our political development as a territory, a sense of current status and chart our course for the future,” he remarked.
Territory Day celebrations will take place on Friday June 30, 2017 at Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park starting at 9:00 AM.
5 Responses to “‘Territory Day is not just a day to have fun’- Janice Brathwaite-Edwards”
This just brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Vincent and Janice.