Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana -: A groundbreaking step toward preserving and amplifying the legacy of Maroon and Indigenous communities in the Caribbean has been announced.
The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) has welcomed a proposal to establish a new Institute for Maroon and Indigenous Studies at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Campus.
This collaborative initiative, driven by Jamaica’s Maroon leaders, aims to research, document, and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Maroons and Indigenous peoples.
Speaking at the historic symposium on Maroons at The UWI Regional Headquarters on January 9, 2025, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI and Chair of the CRC, emphasized the importance of placing Maroon philosophy, politics, and ideology at the center of regional development.
“Everything we need to know about the future can be found in the study of our past… There can be no discussion about the future of this Region without the Maroons,” he affirmed.
Beckles hailed the Maroons as a symbol of resilience, remarking, “The most precious thing that ever came out of the Caribbean is the Maroons.
Everywhere there was slavery, there was marronage. This University is an expression of marronage today.”
The proposed Institute will serve as a global and regional hub for Indigenous and Maroon knowledge, culture, and history, fostering research, advocacy, and collaboration with Maroon communities.
It will also play a vital role in supporting reparatory justice and promoting the rights and development of Indigenous peoples across the Caribbean.
A Milestone for Maroon Studies
The symposium, themed “The Maroons of Jamaica: Our Legacies, Telling Our Own Truths,” brought together Maroon Chiefs, scholars, and advocates to share their stories, challenge misconceptions, and strengthen unity.
Dr. Hilary Brown, CARICOM Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of reparatory justice for the Maroons and Indigenous peoples of the region.
“Their issues, concerns, and rights must be respected and amplified within the regional movement for reparatory justice,” Dr. Brown stated.
Gaamaa Gloria Simms, Chair of the Maroon Women’s Network, expressed her excitement about the initiative, calling it long overdue.
“I have been looking forward to seeing Maroon Studies at The UWI. It is full time. The University should have Maroon people coming in to speak,” she asserted.
The event featured engaging panels and roundtable discussions, with key topics including Maroon treaties, legacies, cultural contributions, and their inclusion in regional constitutional reform.
Prominent figures such as Chief Richard Currie of Accompong, Colonel Wallace Sterling of Moore Town, and legal scholar Dr. Marcus Goffe shared insights on the Maroons’ enduring impact on Caribbean identity and their role in shaping the region’s future.
