Prime Minister Godwin Friday has unveiled a visionary proposal to transform the historically significant Baliceaux Island into a permanent monument against oppression and imperialism. The announcement came during his keynote address at the 13th International Garifuna Conference opening ceremony in Kingstown on Wednesday.
Baliceaux, an uninhabited island in the Grenadines chain, carries profound historical weight as the site where British colonial forces exiled approximately 5,000 Garifuna people during the 1790s. This forced relocation followed the suppression of the Second Carib War under Chief Joseph Chatoyer’s leadership in St. Vincent. Tragically, over half of the exiled population perished on the undeveloped island due to starvation, disease, and exposure to harsh elements. The surviving 2,500 individuals were subsequently resettled by British authorities to Roatan, Honduras.
“From this horrific experience, something positive can emerge,” stated Prime Minister Friday. “We can and should elevate Baliceaux beyond being a sacred graveyard of national importance. It can become a monument that stands against oppression, imperialism, and cultural genocide—a visible reminder of humanity’s capacity for inhumanity.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that the island should serve as both a sacred space and an educational symbol that guides St. Vincent and the Grenadines away from historical atrocities. He described its potential as “a manifest expression of our national commitment to human dignity, sovereignty recognition, resilience against overwhelming odds, and equality across all races, cultures, and economic conditions.”
Notably, the Garifuna people’s cultural resilience has received international recognition. Despite their forced displacement, they preserved their unique culture and language, leading UNESCO to declare it a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity in 2001.
The government is pursuing this initiative through careful consultation with stakeholders, including exiled Garifuna communities, the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, the SVG National Trust, and the Indigenous People’s Association. Minister of National Heritage Shevern John, identified as “a proud Garifuna woman,” will lead these consultations to determine the appropriate development of this sacred space.
Friday concluded by emphasizing the universal significance of this project: “This will remember Baliceaux as a story of resilience and triumph, acknowledging the ongoing global struggles of indigenous peoples for recognition of their legitimate rights.”