A cross section of the audience as they listened attentively to Premier Amory presenting his policies for Nevis’ next generation.

The rally, which was dubbed “Celebrate Nevis”, saw scores of Nevisians, returning nationals and visitors alike responding to a poignant speech by a passionate Premier, the Hon Vance Amory, as he put to the fore the achievements of a generation of Nevisians, while outlining his administration’s policies for Nevis’ next generation.

He told the gathering that had been entertained prior to the commencement of the event, by the Grand Masters Brass Band of St. Kitts, that he had the distinct honour to be a part of the celebrations, that had been organised to raise their consciousness about Nevis, about themselves, their children and what the future holds for the island of Nevis.

“We are celebrating because we feel we have something to celebrate,” said the Nevisian Leader.  “I do believe that we have made significant accomplishments, and that we have a right to celebrate, and those who have different view points about why we celebrate they can hold to their view points on that issue.”

In his feature address, the Premier called on all to reflect on a generation of defining moments of Nevis’ history, stemming over some fifty years or so, but more particular, the past thirty years.

He said, “One such defining moment in the history of Nevis was when in 1967 the people of Nevis were given a local government which began a process of showing what could happen in a small country, or in a jurisdiction, when the people of that jurisdiction or that small country take responsibility for certain aspects of their future.”

Premier Amory recalled one of Nevis’ darkest days in history, August 1, 1970, when the MV Christena capsized as it ferried Nevisians from St. Kitts, which he noted significantly, changed the social and economical history of the island. 

He also noted that the island of Nevis had broken the link with the National Carnival to assert its own cultural festival in 1973, when the first edition of one the most successful summer festivals in the Caribbean, Culturama was held.

“We did that because we wanted the people of Nevis and the people of the world to recognise, that there was a country called Nevis which must not be confused with any other country, because we have a specific history, we have a specific culture and we have a specific identity,” commented Premier Amory.

He sought to enlighten the audience as to the process for the island to gain its independence, and he made it clear that the move for Nevis’ independence was not dead.  He pointed out that there was a process to be followed as proved for by the law.

“So I say to you, as soon as it is convenient after the time had run down for the legal requirement of the constitution to have been placed in the house, your government would take the next step to debate the bill in the house and set a time for the referendum.  It is for all of us as Nevisians to feel a sense of direction, a sense of defining ourselves as to who we are and what we want to be in this world.”

left to right front row) Premier Vance Amory, his wife, Mrs. Vernie Amory, Dr. Everson Hull and Dr. Eustace Huggins

In welcoming the gathering of over 750 persons, Deputy Premier, the Hon Malcolm Guishard, outlined the purpose of the rally, and observed that it was one of those rare occasions when all could gather as a people to assert their collective identity and to use it as a vehicle for their advancement.

“Today we gather to celebrate those things we have in common,” said Minister Guishard.  “We gather to give God thanks for the many blessings He has showered upon us; we gather to celebrate our many achievements over the last three decades and to ask God’s guidance as we chart our future during the first decades of the 21^st century.  We know what our people need and above all we can negotiate the best deals for Nevis on the world market.”

He pointed out some of the objectives of the rally which were to highlight the significant achievements the island had experienced in one generation; to alert the gathering of the many challenges that the island faced as a people and to share some of the insights the administration had received from.

Dr Everson Hull, Nevisian-born economist who resides in the United States of America, gave an in-depth and splendid address where he sought to recount the strange federal relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis, and also reflected on his humble childhood days living in the Bath Village area as well as Premier Amory’s first visit to the nation’s capital shortly after the CCM party had won the right to govern the island.

“My fellow Nevisians, I consider myself to be your comrade, brother and friend, a foot soldier, fully engaged in the liberation struggle for full political independence for Nevis, the land that we all love.  It is a sacred pledge that I have made to myself and planned to keep until the day that victory is won and all Nevisians are free to fully govern themselves and speak for themselves in the international forums of the world.”

He noted that the people of Nevis had put in place the critical infrastructure, both human capital and physical capital that positions the island and its people for assuming the full rights and responsibilities of nationhood.  He also noted that although there are challenges, the road ahead is also filled with golden opportunities and the burden was upon all to make the right choices to reach their full potentials.

Dr Hull, in using several words from the late great Dr. Martin Luther King, said, “It is a dream deeply rooted in the Nevisian spirit; it is a dream that one day soon, every Nevisian young man or young woman will watch with pride and admiration, as my two honest and very able former schoolmates and country’s two great leaders and national heroes, the Hon Vance Amory and the Hon Joseph Parry join forces and proudly representing the interest of a newly independent Nevis, in the various capitals of the world.”

He ended, “As we let freedom ring, at the still dawn of this new millennium from every village and from every hamlet, we will be able to speed up that day when all Nevisians CCM loyalists, NRP loyalists, expatriates and new immigrants, those from the country and those from the towns will be able to join hands and proclaim in unison, free at last, free at last thank God Almighty we are free at last.  Let freedom ring.”