Protecting Heritage in the Caribbean

11. Saint Lucia

11 Saint Lucia Milton Eric Branford Introduction Saint Lucia is located between 60° 50′ W and 61° 5′ W and between 15° 10′ N and 14° 5′ N, and belongs to the group of former British colonies known as theWindward Islands. Saint Lucia is now linked with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. It is situated some 39 km (25 mi) south of Martinique and about 32 km (20 mi) north of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, its sister island of the original Windward group of volcanic origin. Saint Lucia is rugged and mountainous with flat valley lands in the middle and flat lands in the northern and southern ends of the island. The island’s involvement in European geopolitical conflicts over the last four centuries makes it an integral part of world history.The people of Saint Lucia,like others in the Caribbean,were not passive bystanders to events,but were active participants during this crucial phase of history. Saint Lucia featured in the major conflicts of the dominant European powers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries,playing important roles in the AmericanWar of Independence (American Revolution) and the French Revolution. Most of the naval battles of the American Revolution were fought in the Caribbean , mainly around or involving Saint Lucia. The island also was involved in events of the two world wars of the last century. In pre-Columbian times, people from Venezuela and the Guianas paddled up the chain of islands northward from Trinidad.Traces of these people show up archaeologically, and their culture still survives among present-day inhabitants.Archaeological excavations and research of the last 50 years show that they settled over the entire island of Saint Lucia, occupying coastal and inland areas. The native people of the islands were called Lokono and Kalinago ;Europeans called them Arawak,Taíno, and Carib. Resistance by Amerindians against the occupation of Ioanalao, renamed Saint Lucia / 91 Saint Lucia by the Europeans, resulted in the late introduction of the plantation system. The first French settlement was attempted in 1651. This and several others by the French and English failed through American resistance. The first permanent settlement was established in 1763, bringing in planters and slaves. Saint Lucia’s history has been mainly that of military conflict and occupation . It played a key role in the Amerindian War of Independence and was occupied by the British. Pigeon Island served as British Navy headquarters and the main garrison for the British Army in the eastern Caribbean. The French Revolutionary period resulted in three major battles, and a desultory resistance by the French free people. Saint Lucia was involved in the most fighting during the years 1794 to 1797. Heritage Protection Background Saint Lucia is bound by its heritage theme of “One Country, One People, One Heritage.” The Saint Lucia Archaeological and Historical Society (SLAHS) was conceived in 1953 by a small group of people concerned with the preservation ,promotion,and protection of Saint Lucia’s national and cultural heritage ,both above and below ground.The success of the Society is notable because of its focus primarily on these objectives and mission. Saint Lucia is home to the oldest archaeological and historical societies in the English-speaking Caribbean. There is a rich tradition of archaeological and historical investigations and enhanced public awareness of heritage through the combined efforts and contributions of the SLAHS;Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL);United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,Gainesville;Association of Voluntary Agencies for Caribbean Action (FAVACA); Leiden University; Yale University; and Harvard University . The SLAHS was formally recognized by the GOSL in 1968 for its valuable contributions in heritage protection. At the center of the political system, with supreme decision-making authority, is the cabinet. In 1975 the cabinet designated the SLAHS as “Preserver of Records.” In doing so, the government promoted and financed research into and preservation of the national archives under the jurisdiction of the Saint Lucia National Archives and Documentation Centre. In 1975 the Saint Lucia National Trust (SLNT) became the second heritage body, through an Act of Parliament (Act 16). The Act mandated inclusion of two SLAHS representatives (archaeological secretary and historical 92 / Milton Eric Branford secretary) to ensure no duplication of functions and the coexistence of both organizations as support bodies. In conjunction with SLAHS, SLNT carries out heritage projects in preservation ; protection; and management of natural...