Friday is International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, and through a proclamation issued last month, Gov. Albert Bryan is encouraging the public to celebrate with people around the world and in our local community.
“To all residents and visitors to our Territory, I invite you to embrace this kinship to our broader Caribbean and Americas family by supporting multicultural events that mark these occasions,” he wrote.
The proclamation acknowledges the contribution of local Taino Chief (Kasike) Maekiaphan Phillips who guides the Guainia Taino Tribe based on St. Thomas.
The Taino were the original inhabitants of the Virgin Islands, according to Phillips. She has done extensive research on her family history and learned that she has deep Taino roots, as do many Virgin Islanders. Phillips is currently out of the territory, but she has invited the community to visit the Bohio, a traditional Taino thatch-roofed home which is on display at the Fort Christian Museum.
“A Bohio is made from wooden poles, tree trunks, and palm leaves, with a dirt floor. A large Bohio would hold about one hundred people, usually family members,” Phillips said.
The Fort Christian Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitors who show the announcement of International Day of the World’s Indigenous People should be admitted for free, Phillips added.
The collection at Fort Christian includes artifacts, maps, and informative displays.
Bryan’s proclamation acknowledges the many sites in the Virgin islands that contain artifacts from Taino communities, including Salt River on St. Croix, Tutu Park on St. Thomas, and Cinnamon Bay on St. John.
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