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VI constitution must enshrine protection for indigenous Virgin Islanders– Dr Pickering

-Says VI must also embrace multi-culturalism in nation building
Former Deputy Premier in the Virgin Islands, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering said the VI constitution must allow for the protection of the indigenous population, as is the case for indigenous populations around the world. Photo: Facebook/File
2 / 2: Dr Kedrick D. Pickering was at the time speaking as a guest during the July, 5, 2022, edition of the Honestly Speaking radio show with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: Facebook
2 / 2: Dr Kedrick D. Pickering was at the time speaking as a guest during the July, 5, 2022, edition of the Honestly Speaking radio show with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Former Deputy Premier in the Virgin Islands, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering said the VI constitution must allow for the protection of the indigenous population, as is the case for indigenous populations in other countries around the world.

“I happened to have a chat with the Governor on this issue, and the point I’m making is unless you understand why the indigenous Virgin Islander feels threatened, you are not going to be able to understand a lot of the issues that come about,” he said.

Dr Pickering was at the time speaking as a guest on the July 5, 2022, edition of the Honestly Speaking radio show with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline on ZBVI 780am.

“We have basically been a people that have always been accommodating and friendly to everybody, but any country in the world there has to be protection for the indigenous people,” he added.

Dr Pickering pointed to instances in places like Brazil and Fiji with conflict between indigenous populations and foreigners.

Constitutional protection for locals 

“These issues exist anywhere in the world, so it’s nothing unique to us here in these islands… so no matter what you do, anything you enshrine in the constitution it has to be done from the perspective that the indigenous people are protected,” he said.

Dr Pickering added that at the ‘bottom’ of the UK’s BREXIT deal, it is about the protection of a particular set of people and added that there is an absolute need for any constitution to protect the indigenous people of its country.

“Where I think the BVI should be heading… is that the BVI in Building a great little nation, must embrace multi-culturalism,” he said.

Dr Pickering underscored that the extent to which the VI embraces multi-culturalism will determine how successful the country is at nation-building.

“Those rights to protect indigenous people, once they are enshrined, it allows us all to focus on other issues and not get divided,” he added.  

39 Responses to “VI constitution must enshrine protection for indigenous Virgin Islanders– Dr Pickering ”

  • Agree (09/07/2022, 12:59) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    This is the first time you making sense....
    • Indigenous???? (09/07/2022, 17:25) Like (62) Dislike (10) Reply
      There are no indigenous persons in the BVI. The Caribs and Arawaks died out years ago. What we have in the BVI is the descendants of West African slaves brought here against their will, and a smaller number of peoples of all colour who came here voluntarily.
      Stop with the indigenous nonsense.
      • Tortola people (10/07/2022, 09:22) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
        You need to shush your mouth you sound so stupid.
        Do you have some in your country were you came from
        What you all want us to do? Take the BVI and give it to you all for staying here 10 or 20 year's. Tortola people need to see the plan you all came here with. Killing our people and saying they were sick to take what they have. I never here anyone of you get on the radio and thank the BVI for anything. What we get for thanks is how stupid we are. You all are so correct because of what them stupid political leaders did to this country. It is a shame. You give them the right to stay now they look for the right to Wright the constitution. We are so dum. Just to make sure you have enough votes to get reelected you sell out your country. That is a dam shame. This country now is for expatriates people. Thanks to those political fools. If i had my way i will get rid of all of them and let some street man run the country
        • Hey Tortola People (11/07/2022, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          For real? You’d have some street person running the place? What do you think the place would look like before long?
      • a laugh (11/07/2022, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        @Indigenous very good Point and Lets not forget the INCESTRIAL persons in which the BVI's Foundation was built upon!!

        talking bout Indigenous yall need to start speaking about the mother father sister brother and cousins yall forfathers slept with and made offsprings thats why most of the so called BVI landers are so closely related and out deh dating each other
        • Nakazemo (13/07/2022, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Alright, you have a serious problem with who we are, who we marry to,,and who we have our children with, but you run here because like in lots of other countries , you can't even get along with your parents, so still one of us have to adapt you for any sense to come out of you. Come so that we could take you back to reconcile, and rehumanize .
  • R (09/07/2022, 13:08) Like (15) Dislike (14) Reply
    All you think and believe that you all will live forever
  • Lb (09/07/2022, 13:39) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    Same man who act like he didn't understand what Ms. P was saying. Same indegenous Virgin Islander is what she was explaining. But now he come with the same indigenous talk. Hypocrite.
  • wondering (09/07/2022, 14:00) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
    Born here 3 generations both sides cry babies, guess they never have to work or pay in their employees SS and NIH or abide by any laws at tall.
  • coward politicians afraid to protect their own (09/07/2022, 14:23) Like (16) Dislike (34) Reply
    Bvislanders are becoming endangered species in their own land because outsiders are given the same rights and privilege
    • @coward politicians afraid to protect their own (09/07/2022, 17:59) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      I now see the need for family cemeteries on the Islands. Even in death, some of not want to share rights and privileges. Suppose Virgin Islanders was exempted from death?
  • Miss P (09/07/2022, 14:33) Like (14) Dislike (19) Reply
    I could recall when Fraser was the minister of labour and wanted to introduce a policy where workpermit holders had to exit after 7 years and then had to reapply to resume working in the BVI. This was met with great resistant so now it came back to haunt us. IF WE HAD ENFORCED THAT POLICY BACK THEN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THIS PREDICAMENT NOW GIVING OUT ALL THOSE BLONGER STATUS
    • East side (10/07/2022, 00:12) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      And then u all would have been with u all family members
      • West side (11/07/2022, 08:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        How much expatriates you have in your country?
        So how come you all ain't going with your family. Living here but nutting go to say about here. You stupid political lenders is not listening to these people when they talk . You can't hear the hate in their voice. They only here for what they can get. Them politicians fxxk we popper.
  • 100% bvislander to the bone (09/07/2022, 14:34) Like (19) Dislike (13) Reply
    The BVI belongs to bvislanders @ home and abroad.
  • jerome (09/07/2022, 14:36) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply
    The BVI need a purge via ethnic cleansing
  • pat (09/07/2022, 14:46) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    I agree with the Cuban
  • Politicians failed us (09/07/2022, 14:46) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    After billions pass through this little place annually there is nothing to show... Nothing to connect us as progressive BVIslanders collective done and given to us by our leaders except What Lavity did. All you all Did is rent and rent and more rent..Prospect should have be done. Palm grove should have been done. When the country own quality real estates and investments that's the countries true legacy that is part of what represent indigenous. No one can take them away they stay for generations to come. So you Mr. Man what role you play? Naarda.. Just talk as usual.
  • Smh (09/07/2022, 15:02) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hurts bad
  • C.P (09/07/2022, 15:18) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who exactly is an indigenous bv islander? What are we protecting them from? I understand that in terms of jobs a BV Islander should have first preference. The question is are they qualified? Do they have good work ethics? Many workplaces such as trust companies and banks prefer bi lingual workers. Are the indigenous bvislander putting themselves out to learn a different language. Many bvislanders who own land prefer to sell land to a foreigner knowing they can get a higher amount for it. Many indigenous bvislanders born their children in the u.s. so they go off to school and hardly ever return. I think Myron had the best idea to have the national symbols song pledge and clothes to try and instill a sense of patriotism. I think that i s what is needed for all bvislanders whether their parents are from here or not. That to me is more important that focusing on whether you have generational ancestry.
  • Hmm (09/07/2022, 16:44) Like (58) Dislike (5) Reply
    What Dr. Pickering said is correct and it’s time we lay down our pride and ignorance. Almost every country you travel to has laws/policies to protect their own people while at the same time welcoming others. This is not unique to the BVI. We cannot go to another man’s country and have an attitude of entitlement.
    • Hello there (09/07/2022, 19:41) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      tell that to all the socalled BVIslanders who opt to skip Peebles and go to US soil to get benefits and status
  • the cuban (09/07/2022, 17:55) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s hear your definition of an indigenous Virgin Islander
  • TRIBAL WAR (09/07/2022, 18:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    IN THE HOLY LAND ???? WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE SO DETERMINED TO CREATE FRICTION AMONGST OURSELVES AND WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING OVER ❓ ???? ( MR STOUTT KNEW OF RACISM AND COLONIALISM YET FE DIDN'T SING THAT SONG /\\_, NOW ITS CULTURAL TIME ????
  • False argument (09/07/2022, 18:31) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    The argument is based on a false understanding and definition of what is an indigenous person. Such would have been inhabitants before colonisation.
  • NLS (09/07/2022, 20:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Still don’t get it.
  • my2cents (09/07/2022, 21:01) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The people who own the land must be protected and the people who are have roots there since slavery days. That's just common sense. And event hose who hate virgin islanders can agree with that in their own homeland. Why should a Tolan go to St.Kitts and have more rights than a natural kittian. They shouldn't. Same thing here
  • Protection from whom (09/07/2022, 22:47) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Indigenous people of these islands were Arawaks and Ciboney Indians . African were brought here as slaves ..

    Look at history .. they are no longer here who destroyed them the white man
    2. Then came the Africans … who destroying us now the white man
    3. Then come belongers who putting you against expatriate
    The white man how …. Divide make identity crisis create chaos amongst your black brothers from other island …
    We are in the third leg … what a crisis
  • E. Leonard (09/07/2022, 23:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Undoubtedly, immigration is a sensitive and divisive subject in the Virgin Islands (VI) (British), a small, 36-island chain of approximate 59 square miles with a population of approximately 34,000 with an approx population ratio 40%: 60% of locals and expatriates, respectively. Further, some 100+ different nationalities reside in the VI. Without a doubt, expatriates have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the VI. Many have adopted it as their home, and many more are desirous of adopting it as their home and should be afforded the opportunity to do so. However, attaining citizenship must be a well-structured/balanced, planned, and time-driven process that is minimally disrupted to social fabric. A new immigration policy is needed urgently.

    Moreover, concur with former legislator Dr. K. Pickering that, “ VI constitution must enshrine protection for indigenous Virgin Islanders.” This is suggestion is neither unique nor a discriminatory practice, for other municipalities/locales have protection in their constitution for citizens. For example, in the US, only candidates who were born in 1 of 50 states can be elected president. Further, some cities in th US have policies that require preferential treatment for local contractors on contracts. Let’s take a peek at birthright (jus soli, right of the soil) citizenship. Not all countries have birthright citizenship; a majority of countries that offer birthright citizenship are in the West, ie, US, Canada, etc. I’m not absolute but it seems that the UK may not have birthright citizenship.
  • Runako Francis (10/07/2022, 00:55) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr Pickering's argument is based on the false premise that there are indigenous people in the Virgin Islands. Indigenous rights are for indigenous people. It is also false to assert that British Virgin Islanders were accommodating and friendly to every one. They were accommodating and friendly to white people but had scant regard for persons from other Caribbean islands. Dr Pickering and Eileen Parsons' xenophobic utterances are par for the course where British Virgin Islanders are concerned.
    • fromafar (10/07/2022, 14:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      you have the nerve to say we are not accommodating to Caribbean people ?
  • Precious (10/07/2022, 05:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The indigenous people of the BVI would have been the people the Europeans met here when they first visited these shores.In North America the indigenous people
    are called first nations. These people were put on reservations in their own land. Our people were brought to this land from our homeland Africa.
  • Smh (10/07/2022, 07:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Every person born in the BVI should be entitled to the same rights ans privileges. KP saying this because he hopes this will improve his chances of reelection.
  • OK Karen (10/07/2022, 11:27) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    You are not indigenous. Nobody living here today is indigenous. There is NO SUCH THING as an “indigenous Virgin Islander” existing today. Get it through your thick skull.
  • Hmm (10/07/2022, 12:49) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    indigenous are those people that are here first lets say the tainos or arawaks I don't know then the Spanish/Italian European (Columbus and his ship mates) then the British I think then the Africans. I think. I could be wrong wrong.
    • fromafar (10/07/2022, 13:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      take carib history the Dutch spanish and yes black people were hee.
  • ausar (10/07/2022, 13:42) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Dr. Pickering, you are spot on, on this!

    And for those who wondered where the indigenous have gone, ask the Europeans!

    Don't hate on the Africans, who were brought in to fill their places, and fought thick and thin, to remain in this place!

    We now have the right to call ourselves indigenous. We did not cause the extinction of the indigenous; whites did!!!

    Blame them for the LACK of indigenous peoples, ...

  • Terminology doesn't matter (10/07/2022, 14:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Irrespective of what name you called it the virgin islander people must be native to these shores like everybody else who are native to their lands.

    The ex minister made a valid point too late I guess because when he was in power he was happy to say the bvi has over 100 ethnicity which I knew would have become a problem decades to come. The bvi is too small to have a open door immigration policy there should have been quoters many decades ago to minimise the influx of persons coming to our shores to reside indefinitely. The process was abused and mishandled resulting in the problems we have today. Once you bring a large number of people onto your shores for years with no proper rules in place the native people way of life will always be violated.

    So you cannot today blame the people who came for a better life and seeking free education and status, the system was broken from the 80s,so here we are. Australia had a similar problem but on different grounds, UK too and they all put proper policy in place to rectify the problems. The bvi may need to do the same, that's if they got courage, but for now the bvi is finished.


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