Jamaica’s Maroon community has proposed the creation of a new institute dedicated to researching, documenting, and disseminating the significant history, culture, and contributions of Maroon and Indigenous peoples. Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI) and Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC), has expressed his support for the proposal.
This announcement was made during a notable symposium focusing on Maroons, held at The UWI West Indies Regional Headquarters on January 9, 2025.
The proposed Maroon Institute aims to spearhead a collaborative effort in research, advocacy, and policy development alongside Maroon communities, positioning itself as both a regional and global hub for Indigenous and Maroon heritage and knowledge.
“The UWI has a moral duty to facilitate not just resilience but the opportunity for the Jamaica Maroons to thrive, and that is exactly what we will do”, stated Professor Beckles. “An Institute for Maroon Studies should be established… The most precious thing that ever came out of the Caribbean is the Maroons… Everywhere there was slavery, there was marronage. This University is an expression of marronage today.”
He further emphasized, “Everything we need to know about the future can be found in the study of our past… There can be no discussion about the future of this Region without the Maroons. Maroon philosophy, politics and ideology must be at the centre. We are all Maroons.”
This symposium was part of an initiative by the CARICOM Reparations Commission to amplify advocacy for Reparatory Justice and defend the rights of Maroons and other Indigenous communities. Dr. Hilary Brown, the Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, underscored this mission in his opening remarks, stating,” The Maroons are among the indigenous people of the Region who are due reparatory justice and have a right to development. Their issues, concerns and rights must be respected and amplified within the regional movement for reparatory justice,” stated Dr. Brown.
Attendees included Maroon leaders and representatives from Accompong, Mooretown, Flagstaff, Scotts Hall, and Charles Town, as well as other specialists. The symposium, titled “The Maroons of Jamaica: Our Legacies, Telling Our Own Truths,” was coordinated by the UWI Centre for Reparation Research, Maroon communities in Jamaica, AIDO Network International, Global African Diaspora Kingdom, and Omanye Royal Kingdom. It provided a platform for Maroon Colonels and Chiefs to share their historical narratives and insights, challenge prevalent myths, and foster unity and reconciliation among their communities.
Notable sessions included an opening panel titled “Maroon Treaties, Resistance, History & Culture: Dispelling Myths, Telling Our Truths,” moderated by Dr. Hilary Brown. Panel participants included Chief Richard Currie (Paramount Chief known as Papa Odwe II, accompanied by Ambassador Anu El from Accompong); Attorney-at-Law Mr. Bert Samuels (from the National Council on Reparations); Colonel Wallace Sterling (Mooretown); and Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere (Scott’s Hall).
Another panel, “Maroon Legacies and Impact on Contemporary Jamaican and Caribbean Culture,” was led by Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Director of the Centre for Reparation Research at The UWI. Esteemed panelists consisted of Gaamaa Gloria Simms, researcher and author Ms. Beverly Carey, Myal priest Alex Moore-Minott, and culture expert Sydney Bartley.
The closing roundtable, moderated by Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina and enstooled as Queen Mother Hajila Adeke (AIDO | GADK | CPAN | CRC | UNIA ACL RC 2020), was titled “Jamaica and the Maroons: Inclusion, Collaboration, and the Right to Development.” The discussion featured contributions from Chief Richard Currie (Accompong), Colonel Wallace Sterling (Moore Town), Colonel Lloyd Lattibeaudiere (Scott’s Hall), Chief Kanute Cameron (Flagstaff), and Dr. Marcus Goffe (UWI / Legal Counsel of YCOIL/Charlestown), focusing on the importance of constitutional reform and the inclusion of Maroons in ongoing development processes.
Mrs. Sharon Parris-Chambers, Publisher of Caribnewsroom Online News Journal, presided over the session.
The symposium wrapped up on a positive note with commitments to begin the establishment of the Institute for Maroon and Indigenous Studies. This work will be guided by priorities outlined during the symposium and plans to set up branches in Maroon communities to enhance collaboration and inclusivity. Additionally, there were pledges to continue dialogues on constitutional reform, ensuring the participation of Indigenous peoples in these critical discussions.
“I have long awaited the establishment of Maroon Studies at The UWI; it’s about time. This aligns perfectly with our mission statement of promoting culture, and the University should engage Maroon voices in these discussions,” remarked Gaamaa Gloria Simms, Chair of the Maroon Women’s Network.
Because Domisnican Government is TOTALLY Irresponsible and quite frankly wothout an idea or Clue 8n 23 years in power by the very people whose heart sinews and heritage was forged in the works and lives of De Mawon.. much more real inherent and revolutionary in Dominicas than Jamaican culture … eg. Ja. Maroon battles were as long ago as late 1690’s inti the early 1700s n the maroons became sellouts and agreed in exchange for bad land and freedom to hunt slaves….E here fought 2 Wars 1784-1786 1811-14 plus two major battles esp 1791 … The point is Skerriy and thus Governments are Classic Sellouts of the black race and in disrespecting such a noble and grand herotafe … they rather go to Dubai and wear Armani suits and stand backwards and lift up their asses for the highest bidder … Zthats the leaders we have … they have a general stench of ecposed arsehole … they r not mawon they are Tèbeh
Why do we still have “maroon communities” today? Over 100 years after the abolition of slavery? Aren’t Maroons runaway slaves? Aren’t all black peoples in the Caribbean fully integrated into a harmonious society? What makes them indigenous peoples of the region? We all know who the indigenous people of the region are. Why are we cosplaying as maroons in 2024?