Prime Minister Davis: Return of Lucayan remains is “meaningful” to The Bahamas’ national story

Prime Minister Davis: Return of Lucayan remains is "meaningful" to The Bahamas' national story

NASSAU, The Bahamas: During his Remarks at the Repatriation of Lucayan Artifacts and Historic Military Drilling and Reenactment Ceremony, on October 29, 2024, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said to those in attendance that they had gathered in Rawson and Parliament Squares to witness "a moment that is both deeply reflective and profoundly meaningful for our national story."

"It's a moment where part of our past, held far from our shores for nearly a century, has finally returned home," Prime Minister Davis said.

"The remains of the Lucayans - our ancestors, the first people of these islands - have traveled back to us, closing a chapter that began with their removal by George R. Fox from Watlings Island, now known as San Salvador, nearly a hundred years ago," he added. "These bones, resting in a Michigan University storage facility since 1952, are now reunited with the land and legacy that first gave them life."

Among those present were: Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin; Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe; Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Dr. Raymond King and other RBDF representatives; senior officials of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC); Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the United States Kimberly Furnish; school students; and other stakeholders.

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the event that day was a "powerful reminder of the journey of our people."

"The Lucayans were the first in the Americas to meet Christopher Columbus, marking a period that would tragically lead to their destruction and the erasure of an entire culture," he noted. "They had been here for hundreds of years, thriving, celebrating, and burying their loved ones with reverence in the caves of these islands."

Prime Minister Davis added: "Yet, they were also the first to suffer the devastation brought by colonial encounters. While DNA studies show no biological link between them and present-day Bahamians, their spirit and influence echo through our culture, guiding us in ways that transcend more than lineage."

He stated that Bahamian history was one of resilience, endurance, and adaptation.

"From the Lucayans to the enslaved Africans who built Fort Charlotte, to the Bahamians who carved out livelihoods from the sea and the land, each generation has faced its own struggles, yet emerged with strength and dignity," he said.

"These stories of courage and survival are more than just history lessons; they are the foundation of who we are as a people," Prime Minister Davis added. "They remind us that our heritage is not just a collection of events but a testament to the resilience that runs through our blood."

He continued by noting that the journey to bring the Lucayan remains "home" had been "long and filled with complex paths."

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the return was made possible through the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, a law that mandated institutions to return remains and sacred artifacts to their communities, whenever possible.

"Thanks to this collaboration between Michigan State University's Arts and Collections Department and our own Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation, we mark a historic first for The Bahamas: the return of ancestral remains from an international institution," he pointed out. "This act is more than a transaction; it is a restoration of dignity, a healing of wounds, and a recognition of our shared responsibility to honor cultural heritage."

Prime Minister Davis noted that The Bahamas' connection to the past did not stop with the Lucayans; and he highlighted the reenactment that day that "honors the service and sacrifices of the West India Regiment - men of African descent who fought for the British Army in the Caribbean and Africa."

He added that, in historic uniforms, The Bahamas' own Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Rangers, and young recruits performed military drills in Parliament and Rawson Squares, where audience members were transported back to the 18th century.

"These reenactments serve as a vivid reminder of the bravery and resilience that have been passed down through generations," Prime Minister Davis stated.

He added: "Fort Charlotte, completed in 1819, stands as a reminder of the dual legacy of our past. Built by both enslaved and freed Africans under Lord Dunmore's governorship, Fort Charlotte, along with forts Darcy and Stanley, defended our islands and symbolizes the resilience and strength of those who shaped these shores. Named for Queen Charlotte, it was built as both a fortress and a statement of our place in the world, even when those who built it had no freedom of their own."

"As we look back on the stories of the Lucayans, the West India Regiment, and the construction of Fort Charlotte, we are reminded of the importance of reclaiming our history, remembering those who came before us, and celebrating their impact on who we are today," Prime Minister Davis said.

"The resilience and legacy of our ancestors shape our present and inspire us toward a future where we uphold our heritage with pride," he added.

Prime Minister Davis stated that that day, those in attendance not only witnessed "the return of our ancestors' remains, but we honour their enduring presence and influence".

"They are part of the spirit that defines us, a spirit that endures and guides our nation forward," he said. "Let us embrace this moment with reverence, reflection, and a renewed commitment to preserving our heritage for generations yet to come."

"We, Bahamians, carry in our blood the courage of the Lucayans, the strength of the West India Regiment, and the unbreakable spirit of those who laid the stones of our forts," Prime Minister Davis added. "This legacy of resilience, unity, and pride is what drives us as a people - and it is our shared duty to carry it forward."

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis (pictured at lectern, with remarks) took part in the Repatriation of Lucayan Artifacts and Historic Military Drilling and Reenactment Ceremony, on October 29, 2024, held in Rawson and Parliament Squares. Among those present were: Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin; Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe; Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Dr. Raymond King and other RBDF representatives; senior officials of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC); Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the United States Kimberly Furnish; school students; and other stakeholders.

(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)