As the world prepares to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9th, the National Library and Information System Authority , is celebrating the occasion with a month-long exhibition and lecture series to raise awareness about the First Peoples of Trinidad and Tobago.
00:00From traditional artifacts to educational displays, the exhibition at Nales National Library in Port of Spain sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and the contribution of the country's indigenous peoples.
00:14For the National Library on Information System Authority, Nales, the 2025 celebration is special. In collaboration with our partner, we have lined up a number of lectures with topics such as First People History, Trinidad to be presented tomorrow, August 7th, Cultural Practices and Exchanges to be presented on August 8th, First People's History Tobago to be presented on August 26th,
00:40and finally, Indigenous Practices, Agriculture and Herbs, which will be presented on August 27th.
00:47These lunchtime lectures happening here at the Pamela Benson Audiovisual Room between 12 noon and 1.30 pm are aimed at empowering our nation, particularly our young people, to take pride in their heritage and to deepen their understanding of how communities connect.
01:05Also lending support is the newly installed Grand Chief of the First People's Sovereign Nation, Eric Lewis.
01:12He's calling on the national leaders to do more to honor and support indigenous communities while encouraging his own people to preserve their culture and identity.
01:21and identity.
01:22I hope that one day our celebrations of Indigenous heritage, First People's heritage, whether Carib, Arawak, whichever one you want to call us, Kalinago, Taino, Lokono, Kalipuna, Kapun, is celebrated in a grand, beautiful way.
01:42That we, too, that we, too, have our First People's Heritage Day and celebration.
01:47And regarding our First People's Heritage Day and celebration, I hope whenever time is ready for that holiday, that it is during a school month, during the month of school.
01:57So children can make indigenous craft, they can make indigenous wear, they can probably make a headpiece like this, you know, and practice some of our language, make our foods, share in our heritage and culture.
02:11And I hope that more persons will open up their doors for us to collaborate with them.
02:16Historical records show that indigenous peoples have lived in Trinidad for over 6,000 years, long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.
02:25Through this exhibition and series of lectures, Nalis hopes to bring greater recognition to the enduring legacy.
Be the first to comment