The first step to establish the Cabrits Heritage and Ecology Centre’s (CHEC) programme of study camps was taken last week, when a group of students from Martinique attended a five day course at Fort Shirley at the Cabrits National Park. The visiting group are students of the history faculty of the Schoelcher Campus of the Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG).
Fifteen students and three professors used Fort Shirley as a base from which to do field studies at various sites in Dominica. Among the places visited were the Kalinago Barana Auté and L’Escalier Tete Chien at the Carib Territory, the National Archives in Roseau and the Jacko Flats near Belle’s as well as an in depth tour of the 200 acre Cabrits Garrison itself.
In the evenings there were lectures on various topics such as the maroons, historic restoration of buildings and the archaeology of Dominica and the neighbouring islands.
Among the group from Martinique were German university students on an attachment to the Schoelcher Campus. They were all accommodated in the restored Officers’ Quarters at Fort Shirley which doubled up as dormitory and lecture area. A cook and catering staff from Portsmouth provided meals from the fully equipped kitchen. Wireless internet and PowerPoint projection facilities are also available on site.
The plan of the CHEC project is to create Fort Shirley as a centre for education and recreation where youth and community groups from Dominica and the Caribbean can stay over and learn about the ecology and heritage of the region. University groups from the UK and the USA have also expressed interest in taking part when the accommodation building project is completed.
The Government of Dominica has made a commitment to fund the restoration of the Troops Barracks at the fort with dormitories to accommodate 32 participants and two small apartments for teachers and team leaders. The project represents a form of “academic tourism” for which the Cabrits is an ideal location.
(PRESS RELEASE)
Dr. Lennox Honeychurch, Alwin Bully, Raymond Lawrence, Pearl Christian, Judge Irving Andre and many others must be commended for their many efforts at upholding, promoting and writing about our nation’s history and culture. It is my hope that more will be done to infuse that spirit of self-knowledge and a commitment to local history into our local school system. That way we can foster a greater degree of patriotic duty. Again, my hats off to the Government of Dominica, Dr. Honeychurch and the other collaborators on the Cabrits Project.
Yes, it is a positive thing.
I think we should open up to having other institutions like Ross, for example, to set up shop in this beautiful country. The development that has taken place around Ross University has been astounding; just imagine if we had 2 or 3 more like Ross on the island.
Great job. Nice to read that Dominican students will be included
Such a beautiful story this is. I haven’t seen any comments here. Is it because it’s a positive story for d/a that no one would comment? Positive things are indeed happening here in this beautiful country and we will continue to move to the next level.