The ROAD Project (Reclaiming our Atlantic Destiny) is underway. On the ABC highway by Newton is the creation of the building to house our digital archives life sciences centre. The construction of a memorial to enslaved people designed by Adjaye Associates has begun. A new ‘heritage district’ is set to incorporate a museum and archives, performing arts venues, and associated amenities.
According to Barbados.org “The Barbados Heritage District, … is a sacred endeavour born from the profound desire to honour the past and shed light on the unyielding impact of slavery … a profound testament to the resilience and spirit of a nation that has endured through some of history’s darkest chapters…. It will be located at the Newton Slave Burial Ground, the largest and earliest slave burial site discovered in Barbados. https://barbados.org/barbados-heritage-district.htm
However, quite contrary to the above objectives, it was felt that some of these founding principles might not be well integrated into the foundations of the project. On January 8th, 2025, a group of concerned citizens launched a petition for Phase 1 of the project to pause, so that following concerns could be addressed:
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- legislation and policy to protect the burial space as a sacred space
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- protection the rights of persons who revere the space
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- orientation for the construction workers, senior administration and managers about the space’s significance, and
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- accountability, inclusion and transparency in the project’s implementation, execution and future curation of events at the space.
These concerns were raised when citizens met at an event on January 4th, 2025, and were informed of missteps in what should be a sustainable development process, putting a strain on their trust in the government’s accountability and the Barbados Museum & Historical Society’s (BMHS) ability to fully advocate as custodian of the space. They discussed the:
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- Failure of the ROAD project to address the concerns of the BMHS and its Newton Burial Ground Committee and to inform them of the start of Phase 1.
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- How by December 16, 2024, the widening and excavation of an existing cart road encroached the sacred space, and that the area once known as the “negro yard” had already been scraped to build a car park, severely damaging or destroying potential archaeological evidence.
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- The delayed response from the Museum on the matter (a public statement was only released on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025).
While the Barbados Tourism Investments Inc. (BTI) has begun to involve BMHS in aspects of project implementation at the site, including archaeological monitoring, Phase 1 continues at pace.
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, an internal stakeholder’s meeting was held. Various sectors of concerned citizens, including spiritual practitioners, academics, archaeologists, BMHS officials, community interest groups, and individuals met with government officials at the Barbados Museum. Poignant contributions were made towards playing a meaningful role in the work to move forward, once a “pause” on the project is announced. Dr. The Hon. William F. Duguid, J.P., M.P., (Minister of Planning and Development – Prime Minister’s Office and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for coordinating Infrastructural Projects and development commissions) and Senator Dr. the Hon. Shantal M. Munro-Knight (Minister with responsibility for Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office) offered apologies. BTI CEO Stuart Layne and ROAD programme manager Chereda Grannum attended. The moderator was Dr. Deryck Murray, Director of the Centre for Hybrid Studies and respected Orisha practitioner.
A pause will bring about an opportunity to reflect, acknowledge, heal and work towards the better protection of the Enslaved Burial Ground at Newton. Noting that there is much work to be done that will have to continue beyond an initial “pause”, this time is needed to start a process of healing and inclusion.
We look forward to a commitment articulated by the Government to move forward with accountability, inclusion, and transparency about plans to develop Newton.
However, construction on the site continues.
Let’s keep urging our plea!
Sign The Petition
Dr. John Hunte, Concerned Citizen
