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'We all have a responsibility' to preserve VI’s history & heritage- Premier Wheatley

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has called on Virgin Islanders to take up responsibility for preserving the history and heritage of the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: GIS
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition is a joint venture between the Department of Culture and the Virgin Islands Studies Institute. Photo: GIS
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition is a joint venture between the Department of Culture and the Virgin Islands Studies Institute. Photo: GIS
Heritage Dancers perform at the official opening of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition on Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza. Photo: GIS
Heritage Dancers perform at the official opening of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition on Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza. Photo: GIS
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition will be open to the public for viewing at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza for the remainder of Heritage Month, closing on August 31, 2024. Photo: GIS
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition will be open to the public for viewing at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza for the remainder of Heritage Month, closing on August 31, 2024. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has called on Virgin Islanders to take up responsibility for preserving the history and heritage of the Virgin Islands (VI).

Premier Wheatley was speaking during the official opening of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition on Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza. 

While acknowledging efforts being made, Premier Wheatley said more must be done.

'We all have a responsibility'

“We’ve gotten into the habit of just looking towards government, or looking towards one or another entity for responsibility as it pertains to protecting our cherished history and heritage and to really celebrate it,” the Premier said. 

He called on parents, teachers, school administrators and even business owners, to allow those who are under their care and direction to visit the emancipation exhibition.

Premier Wheatley also said he is grateful to those who have already recognised their responsibility in preserving and teaching the VI’s history and heritage. 

“Wherever you are in this society, whatever role you play, you have a responsibility. It’s not one man or one woman’s responsibility; it’s not just the Director of Culture’s responsibility or anyone else's; we all have a responsibility,” Premier Wheatley said. 

The effects of the people taking on that responsibility, Premier Wheatley added, is becoming more reflective of the reason for celebrating the VI’s emancipation, which would lead to more “meaningful celebrations”. 

Reflection needed for progressive future

This reflection he said will also lead to charting a course “into the future, reflective of those struggles, reflective of the responsibility we have to ensure the progress of future generations”. 

The Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition is a joint venture between the Department of Culture and the Virgin Islands Studies Institute. It will be open to the public for viewing at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza for the remainder of Heritage Month, closing on August 31, 2024. 

12 Responses to “'We all have a responsibility' to preserve VI’s history & heritage- Premier Wheatley”

  • Stealth (18/08/2024, 11:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    “ We all have a responsibility' to preserve VI’s history & heritage- Premier Wheatley.” Indeed embracing, protecting, preserving and celebrating [British] Virgin Islands (VI) culture, history and heritage is the responsibility of all Virgin Islanders. We all should be proud of our culture , history, and heritage, as others are of their’s. We are subtracting, not adding to or preserving our culture by celebrating other culture above our own. Our culture is rich but it is if we are ashame of it. As the VI demographics changed the VI culture will be added to.

    Moreover, in regards to protecting and preserving our history and heritage, it is not going to self-execute. The attitude must be embraced throughout the length and breadth of the VI. Doing this will require organizing, planning and strong effective leadership setting the tone and example. Leadership is about behavior. What a leader does is 1000 times more effective and important than words, words, etc.. Set the tone and example. The people feed on action(s), not words..
  • questions (18/08/2024, 11:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    How would Mr. Wheatley define BVI’s culture and history? And, what actions is the government he leads taking to sustaining it? Why is the education department so underfunded? Or, is it that he feels each individual is responsible for that too?
  • Do You Believe the Words Coming Out of Your Mouth? (18/08/2024, 11:55) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Talk is cheap!!

    It starts with Government not allowing private parts to be shown in public including at the Festival Village, Rise and Shine Tramp, and Parade.

    It’s not allowed on a regular day….don’t allow it AT ALL!!

    This is NOT Emancipation from slavery!!

    Slaves were raped, abused, sexually exploited, and this is how you celebrate their emancipation??!!!?!!

    Stop allowing artists to perform that engage in sexual simulation on stage!!!! That nastiness happening in Rise and Shine Tramp, etc. needs to stop as well.

    The BVI does not need to adopt the practices of other countries. Decades ago people wore clothes in Rise and Shine and did not carry on like prostitutes.

    God put the BVI on a time-out to reflect on their wayward ways:

    1. No electricity
    2. No water
    3. No internet
    4. Fruit/vegetable trees gone

    Still think you have one life to live so do whatever you want?

    Still think you could defile your body that is God’s temple and be preaching on social media?

    If you can’t praise God on earth all day everyday and put away the things of the world how you expect to praise him in Heaven if you get in…no it’s not automatic entry like so many think after someone passes so wake up and start obeying God.



  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (18/08/2024, 12:15) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    is saying )> yeah we're doing a fine job of preserving our culture / our heritage/ our freedom and our emancipation , it's slipping away from us , them islund people and them white colonialist trying to make us look bad , but we gah newz fo dem / after the hurricane season pass , its gonna be party time again , free jamz like crazy ( all is invited to come and see me do mah ting
    • U know (19/08/2024, 06:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I really dislike the tone used when speaking about 'island people'... island people like u say have the same history and recognition of emancipation like here does. They chose to recognize it the way it should. Is only because the natives are benefiting financially they are allowing what is currently happening to take place. Just like how measures are put in place to stop 'island people' from progressing and having a say put the same measures in place for your emancipation celebrations. You guys are just scared that there monies you reap will not be recognize if you do such. It's your country put the measures in place and they have no choice but to abide. We can make noise like we always do but at the end of the day we know our place. It would be our choice to either support or leave your celebrations up to you. I am sick and fed up with you blaming others but yourself. Blame your love of money. They recognize that without some of the artist they bringing the could never command $50 into the village. Your own natives are the ones coming up with bringing such garbage so stop blame foreigners cause at the end of the day the final say is always yours.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (18/08/2024, 13:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Premier, Dr. Natalio Sujande Wheatley, sadly, but true, you are far from reality of what a government leader core priority should be to his people. You are continuing lecturing to us about our lack of participation in our Emancipation Celebrations activities, but as of time past and even now, you are unable to understand, or probably don't care to understand that your core responsibility is to ensure a better living condition and a better future for the people of the British Virgin Islands, not the advertising of our female's sexual private parts on the traffic way streets.

    True culture is necessary, but survival of our people in the hostile competitive world cannot be overlooked, especially by our government administration leaders, of which you are the political leader. We are at this point of growth most because of the former Premier and you, stubborn head man.
    • smh (18/08/2024, 15:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands.
      Totally agree with your views. This Premier does not have a feasible agenda for the Territory, much less making efforts towards the sustainability of it. Once it has something to do with music and partying , this is what the Public sees of him.
  • justin (18/08/2024, 14:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    most virgin islanders live in continental USA
    • @justin (19/08/2024, 01:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Most? Let’s see your statistic reports. For sure, ‘most’ residents living in the VI is living outside their homeland.
  • Anonymous (18/08/2024, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    We sticking with this premier down with power hungry walwyn and cooked Mitch
  • Upgrade the city (19/08/2024, 06:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want see shopping mall where clothes shoes bags jewelry all the modern day things along with fast food restaurants so the ppl can enjoy BVI stop letting the 1950 to 1980 thinking of the pass keep bvi like a old horse stable you all travel to big cities and even some caribbean down islands and their towns are well worth the shopping to compare to the US dollar BVI
  • Lb (19/08/2024, 07:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    And you sir are not living up to your responsibility in the least!


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