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Submission -- Received 19 April 2002
Hiwanaru, ST LUCIA
Dr. Albert DeTERVILLE
Chair/CEO
THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA
Box MA 020, Marchand P.O., Castries, SAINT LUCIA
Tel: + 1 758 452 5374
Fax: + 1 758 453 1983
Email: aldetcentre_AT_yahoo.com
SACRED SITES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE ISSUES
TERRITORY: SAINT LUCIA [HIWANARU]
Secretariat of:
International Indigenous Peoples Think Tank, IIPTT
 The
island of Saint Lucia [Hiwanaru] is a volcanic, rugged and mountainous
island, located in the Caribbean and lies approximately 62 degrees west
and 13.6 degrees north. The island is a small independent country; member
of the United Nations, with a land area of 616 square kilometers and a
population of approximately 160, 000[2001 Census].
The island shows a history of Ciboney, Arawak, Kalinga [carib] and
Bethechilokono [descendants of the former three]; estimated at
approximately 15% of the of the national population. The Bechechilokono
are to be found throughout the island, but in higher density in their
traditional communities within the Districts of Choiseul and Soufriere and
Laborie, on the west and southwest of the island.
The Bechechilokono is the predominant group within the District of
Choiseul. The family linkages are more pronounced there. Their history has
been kept through lineage and culture.
The first attempt by Europeans [British] to colonized Hiwanaru was
repelled by the Indigenous People on 20 September 1640. During the period
1642 to 1814, the British and French battled for control of Hiwanaru 15
times. During the English-French disputes the Indigenous People maintained
legal control of the island. According to a 1765 Map of the island,
approximately one-third of Hiwanaru was still under Indigenous People
control. Within two years, the French colonial power consolidated illegal
land control, resulting in the distribution of the Indigenous People's
properties [land and resources] among French nationals.
Practically all Indigenous Peoples Sacred and Cultural Heritage Sites
[except for one] have either been plundered or under non-Indigenous People
control.
The following three sites are being presented for consideration.
1) To the north of the Village of Choiseul on
the west of the island are several rock cut basins and a petroglyph
located on an approximately 5 ton rock. The origin of the ancient carving
is yet to be determined. This site inter-connects with five other
petroglyphs sites and seven rock cut basins sites [Ceremonial Sites]
within a 10 kilometre radius. The area under review, pre-dates the Kalinga
[Carib] period and suggests to an earlier Arawak settlement. The Sacred
and Ceremonial Sites have all been exposed to increased activities and
interference by non-Indigenous People.
2) A petroglyph and rock cut basins are found at the base of a basalt hill
near the sea on the south side of the Dauphin River on the north-east of
the island. The petroglyph appears to represent a family, mother, father
and child, with the right hand of the mother pointing to the ground and
the child standing in front of her. This site is presently owned by a
non-Indigenous Person named Calixte GEORGE. This Sacred Site continues to
be exploited as a tourism product by non-Indigenous People.
The owner of the above has given THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA access to
this site, to execute an audit. THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA proposes to
have the site protected.
3) South of the Dauphin River is located the Grand Anse Estate, under the
control of non-Indigenous People[foreign nationals]. There is a proposed
Tourism Project for the area; to be executed by a Company named "The
Answer Group". The area comprises of at least eight Indigenous Peoples
sites, including a burial site. The project would necessitate interference
with and or the destruction of the sites.
It is believed that the owners intend to exhibit the remains collected
from the Indigenous People burial site as part of the Tourism Complex.
THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA has made attempts to secure permission to
visit the area to execute an audit. The owners have showed no interest.
THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA proposes that the International Community of
Indigenous Peoples provide assistance to it in the repossession of the
abovementioned Indigenous People's sites.
Signed:
Dr. Albert DeTERVILLE
Chair/ECO
THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA
Signed:
Deanne D. DeTERVILLE
Co-Chair/Deputy
CEO THE ALDET CENTRE-SAINT LUCIA
18 April 2002
Petroglyph located near Dauphin River on the north-east of the
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