HON. ANDREW A. FAHIE
MINISTER OF EDUCATION & CULTURE
Address for Culture Week 2008

Theme:  Resolving Land Issues: Securing Our Future
November 9 -14, 2008

Roadtown. Tortola - The history of our country is a very rich and interesting one. From the earlier years of slavery, our forefathers have developed our country through many years of sweat and toil especially in the area of agriculture where they worked their grounds and produced crops that sustained their families and the wider community with food. 

In doing this, our forefathers created life lasting bonds with their work, each other, and became one with the lands. This bond allowed them to eventually secure the rights to these lands for the benefit of future generations, such as our generation, among others.

“Land” in the Virgin Islands to some is just land but to the indigenous Virgin Islander, land is an integral part of our heritage, our identity and our culture. Our forefathers believed that whoever owns the land owns the country and that is why ownership of land in this Territory is such an integral part of our culture.

As Virgin Islanders we are privileged to be the beneficiaries of our forefather’s labour.  As a result we have inherited large portions of land from former masters, the Crown, through purchase, among other means.

Over the years many families have procured large amounts of property which traditionally have been passed on from generation to generation. Our ancestors understood the value and importance of land ownership. These families treasured the land and ensured that it was safeguarded as inheritance for future generations.

 Unfortunately, over the years, the passing on of property from one generation or person to a next has been impeded. Several factors have contributed to this cycle. These factors include, but are not limited to:
- Failure to ensure that a will is made;
- The inability to arrive at a consensus on the even distribution of lands;
- Property being squatted upon for over 20 years; and
-The inability to secure official documentation relating to the lands in question.

As a people, once we become more aware of the importance that our lands play in our cultural heritage, then and only then, through this education, can we successfully minimise the many confrontations that continue to arise in this regard among us as a people.  Needless to say, that out of respect and honour for what our forefathers have done for us in terms of securing the lands, we now must secure the next generation’s future by ensuring that we are steadfast in purpose and diligent in actions in all matters involving land issues whether as a family or as a country.   ~~Adz:Left~~

In light of the aforementioned, then and only then can we begin to allow healing to take place among our families and in the Territory as a whole in regards to land issues.  The future of our country in terms of the manner in which we handle land issues is heavily dependant on how well we implement the lessons taught by our forefathers.

 To this end the Department of Culture has chosen the theme: “Resolving Land Issues: Securing Our Future” for Culture Week 2008.

Culture Week will be celebrated from Sunday October 9th, to Friday October 14th, 2008. As stated before the theme is “Resolving Land Issues: Securing Our Future” and as such the Department of Culture has organized an Information Fair at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Tuesday 11th October, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Fair is an avenue for persons in the community who have specific questions, need help with addressing a particular issue, or simply need direction and the correct information regarding his/her land issue to come and present them to the professionals at hand. These experts will include representatives from:
• Land Registry;
• Department of Survey;
• Town & Country Planning Department; and
• Attorney from O’Neal Webster law firm

These experts will be there to provide accurate information, advice and suggest steps to solve the issues presented.  They will also offer clarification on the processes surrounding lands and property.  In addition, the history of our lands in the Virgin Islands will be discussed so that we can know where we came from, thereby, assisting us in charting a better course for the future in terms of resolving our land issues. 

On Thursday 13th October the Department of Culture will present a Live Discussion on Radio Station ZBVI on “Resolving Lands Issues: Securing Our Future”, the theme for culture week 2008. The panellists will include the Director of Culture, representatives from Land Registry, the Department of Survey, Town & Country Planning,  H. L. Stoutt Community College and an attorney from O’Neal Webster. This discussion will prove to be very informative and anyone who has missed the Information Fair can seek to have their queries or concerns answered.

As Minister of Education and Culture is a pleasure to declare Culture Week 2008 open and I want us at all times to remember to continue to assist in the preservation of our culture as a people and as a country.