The Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 54th Annual Meeting commenced with an impactful Indigenous Peoples Forum in Ottawa, Canada, focusing on the urgent need for economic empowerment, decision-making participation, and robust protection of rights for Indigenous communities across the Caribbean and Canada. Titled "Catalysing Caribbean-Canada Collaboration on Indigenous Peoples Affairs for Resilient Prosperity," this forum marked a significant milestone in addressing the systemic challenges faced by these communities through cross-national collaboration.
The forum featured a diverse assembly of political leaders, community elders, and Indigenous rights advocates, including representatives from the Kalinago of Dominica, the Garifuna of Belize, and various First Nations across Canada. Hon. Cozier Frederick, Dominica's Minister for the Environment, Rural Modernization, and Kalinago Upliftment, emphasized the historical oversight of Indigenous contributions to sustainable development and commended the CDB’s progressive approach.
"We must all commit to championing the rights and inclusion of all Indigenous peoples, ensuring that we are active partners in a journey toward a better future for all," Minister Frederick stated, highlighting the importance of elevating Indigenous voices and fostering respect and honor for their contributions.
Other speakers echoed the call for addressing economic marginalization, exploitation of natural resources, and land rights issues, emphasizing the existential threat posed by climate change to traditional ways of life. Damon Corrie of the Lokono Arawaks advocated for a permanent Indigenous secretariat to centralize efforts in strengthening and preserving Indigenous cultures, languages, and environments.
Chief Greg Sarazin of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nations highlighted the resilience of First Peoples, asserting the enduring presence and future of the Algonquin nation.
Therese Turner-Jones, CDB's Vice President, Operations (Ag), reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to Indigenous inclusion, acknowledging the disproportionate socioeconomic challenges they face and emphasizing the need for sustainable development that honors Indigenous knowledge systems.
Klieon John, Founder of Twin-Island Cinema, was invited to contribute to this forum, sharing insights and key considerations on indigeneity, spatial organization, and innovation, drawing from current narratives arising from the Tilting Axis/Nieuwe Instituut Fellowship. His research project, "Nieuwe Bohío: A Digital Retrospective on Indigenous Caribbean History, Culture, and Mythology," explores how optimizing spatial organization can support greater community resilience, offering a digital lens on the rich heritage and adaptive strategies of Indigenous Caribbean peoples.
The forum also underscored the importance of partnerships, with leaders like Sheena Zuniga of Belize's Garifuna Council advocating for leveraging collective strengths and traditional ecological knowledge to catalyze collaborations for the benefit of Indigenous communities.
In addition to the forum, the CDB Annual Meeting included a series of events from June 17 to 20, 2024, featuring knowledge-sharing seminars on trade and logistics, labor market inequities, and the potential of cultural industries to contribute to sustainable development.
Youth for Innovation and Resilience (YOUTH FIRE) Programme
Running parallel to the Indigenous Peoples Forum, the Youth for Innovation and Resilience (YOUTH FIRE) Programme, themed “Empowered Youth – Partners in Resilient Prosperity,” provided a platform for young leaders to engage in discussions and share insights on sustainable development.
Day 1 of the YOUTH FIRE Programme, held on June 19, 2024, began with an introduction and welcome by Ms. Kemberley Gittens, Operations Officer at the CDB. The first session focused on "Sustainable and Inclusive Infrastructure," featuring speakers such as Ms. Helena Grdadolnik, Director of Workshop Architecture, and Mr. Michelan Gilharry, Project Engineer from Belize’s Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing.
The opening ceremony included remarks from Ms. Therese Turner-Jones, Vice-President of Operations (Ag.), and highlighted achievements of the Future Leaders Network (FLN). Cultural presentations and government remarks followed, emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in regional development.
The second session, "Spatial Planning, Indigeneity and Resilient Futures: A Radical (Re)imagining," featured Klieon John, Research Fellow 2024 at Tilting Axis/Nieuwe Instituut and Founder of Twin-Island Cinema. John shared insights on indigeneity, spatial organization, and innovation, drawing from his research project, "Nieuwe Bohío: A Digital Retrospective on Indigenous Caribbean History, Culture, and Mythology," which explores how optimizing spatial organization can support greater community resilience.
Klieon's contributions at both forums highlighted the intersection of indigeneity, innovation, and community resilience, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and sustainable development practices.
Subsequent sessions covered topics such as "Economic Empowerment: The Entrepreneurship Imperative" and "Youth for Peaceful Societies: Reasonings, Reflections and Recommendations," with contributions from various young leaders and experts.
Day 2 included a site visit to the University of Ottawa, featuring presentations on advanced technologies and engineering solutions for disaster resilience. The event concluded with the presentation of outcome statements from both the Indigenous Peoples Forum and the YOUTH FIRE Programme, reflecting the collective insights and future steps for fostering resilient prosperity in the Caribbean and Canada.
A Collective Commitment to Resilient Futures
The Caribbean Development Bank's 54th Annual Meeting, with its dual focus on Indigenous empowerment and youth innovation, underscores a collective commitment to building resilient futures. The discussions and insights shared during the Indigenous Peoples Forum and the YOUTH FIRE Programme reflect a forward-thinking approach to addressing systemic challenges and harnessing the strengths of diverse communities. The emphasis on sustainable infrastructure, economic empowerment, and inclusive spatial planning highlights the interconnectedness of these issues and the need for collaborative solutions.
Twin-Island Cinema remains dedicated to fostering partnerships and collaborations that drive innovation and resilience in the Caribbean's key industries. By focusing on digital culture, spatial planning, new media, and sustainability, Twin-Island Cinema aims to support the creation of vibrant, sustainable communities that honor Indigenous heritage and empower the next generation of leaders. Together, through shared knowledge and cooperative efforts, we can ensure a prosperous and resilient future for all.
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