Contributed | Supporting the Decision to Invite Bahama Brass Band to 50 Years of Ministerial Government

On August 30th, the Turks and Caicos Islands will celebrate the introduction of its Constitutional Holiday, marking an important moment for the nation as its people reflect upon and celebrate the Constitution of these islands.

Photo Source: Bahamas Uncensored

The significance and excitement surrounding this historic occasion inspired the organizing committee to embrace and celebrate all things Turks and Caicos. This included identifying foods, gifts, talents, traditions, accomplishments and institutions that were created, developed or influenced by persons from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Recently, concerns were expressed on social media by a concerned citizen under the theme, "A Disrespect to Our Culture, Our Heritage and Our People."

The points raised are understood and respected. However, it is important that clarity be provided to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands so that the intentions behind the celebrations, particularly the inclusion of the Bahama Brass Band, are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

Firstly, the Progressive National Party has not, intentionally or otherwise, sought to disrespect any well-intentioned and decent citizen of this beloved homeland. Every citizen, with his or her gifts, opinions, talents and resources, is viewed as a nation builder and part of the backbone of these islands.

While the Progressive National Party holds the responsibility of government, it remains fully aware that it was elected to serve the people and to act in the best interests of the continued growth and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Secondly, as part of these celebrations, the committee sought to encourage Turks and Caicos Islanders and their descendants living abroad to return home and participate in this celebration of who the people of these islands are and where they have come from. Among those invited was the Bahama Brass Band.

One may reasonably ask: Why the Bahama Brass Band? The answer is deeply rooted in Turks and Caicos history. The Bahama Brass Band GB had its humble beginnings in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr., of Middle Caicos, was the first to learn the trumpet, followed by Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield, of North Caicos.

In the village of Pine Ridge, the band's influence grew, and these men gathered others, including individuals referenced in the recent social media commentary, such as the late Bishop Hopelyn Parker and Deacon Percy Williams.

The band grew to more than 50 men at that time, with Turks and Caicos Islanders forming the foundation of this remarkable institution. Some 70 years later, names such as Hamilton, Forbes, Stubbs, Hall, Morris, Williams and Basden, to name a few, remain connected to the tradition - persons either born in the Turks and Caicos Islands or descended from these islands.

A SACRED MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF TWO NATIONS

The value and sacredness of this moment cannot be overlooked. It is important to reflect on men such as Bishop James Williams, Bishop Hopelyn Parker and Percy Williams, who, under the leadership of then band director, the late Bishop Cleophas Capron, together with Winston Capron, marched on July 10th, 1973, as part of The Bahamas' Independence celebrations.

In doing so, these Turks and Caicos men left a mark upon The Bahamas that is forever embedded in its history.

The institution they helped cultivate was built through the hands, blood, sweat and tears of men from Turks and Caicos soil. Their contribution became part of the cultural fabric of another nation while remaining firmly connected to the islands from which they came.

There is therefore something particularly meaningful about what is now taking place.

It is not simply a matter of the Turks and Caicos Islands going abroad to celebrate the Bahama Brass Band. Instead, it represents an opportunity for an institution profoundly influenced and built by Turks and Caicos men to return home to the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands and pay tribute to those who laid the foundation for its existence.

Its return can be seen as an expression of gratitude: To honour. To respect. To remember. And to say thank you.

It is an opportunity to acknowledge the investment that these great men of the Turks and Caicos Islands made in The Bahamas and the legacy that has endured through successive generations.

This is heritage in one of its greatest forms and expressions. It is not a moment that should be missed. Rather, it is a historic opportunity that should be understood, embraced and celebrated.

THE INTENTION BEHIND THE INVITATION

Thirdly, the committee's intention was to highlight this extraordinary accomplishment based upon three important principles:

1. To honour the historic value of the institutions to which Turks and Caicos Islanders have contributed in another country.

There is tremendous significance in the fact that men from the Turks and Caicos Islands travelled to another country and helped establish an institution that has endured and influenced generations.

There is even greater significance in the shared heritage of the Turks and Caicos Brass Band and the Bahama Brass Band.

These two institutions share common fathers and a deeply connected history. That connection gives the Turks and Caicos Islands every reason to proudly celebrate and proclaim the extraordinary regional influence of its people.

The Bahama Brass Band does not diminish Turks and Caicos heritage. Its existence provides further evidence of the reach and influence of that heritage.

2. To showcase the lasting influence of the founders and framers of these brass band traditions over more than four generations. These men from the Turks and Caicos Islands established far more than a music school or simply a band.

Through discipline, mentorship, faith, service and leadership, they helped develop men who became nation builders.

From this tradition have emerged Members of Parliament in both countries, bishops and pastors, magistrates, government officials, law enforcement officers and community leaders, among many others.

Their success cannot therefore be measured solely by music. Their greater legacy can be found in the generations of men they helped shape and the contribution those men subsequently made to their communities and countries.

3. Most importantly, to honour the very men whose contributions were referenced in the recent public commentary. At the heart of the committee's intention was a desire to recognize and honour these pioneers and others whose names form part of this extraordinary history.

There was never an intention to disrespect or diminish their work, service, sacrifices or contributions.

Quite the contrary, the significance of the Constitutional Holiday provided an opportunity to place their accomplishments before the nation and allow another generation of Turks and Caicos Islanders to understand and appreciate the magnitude of what their forefathers accomplished.

THE TIES THAT BIND

If any descendants, family members, friends or others connected to these pioneers felt disrespected or overlooked by the manner in which the initiative was presented, a sincere apology is appropriately proffered for any unintended offence caused.

That feeling should be acknowledged and respected. However, one fundamental truth should never be lost:

The Turks and Caicos Brass Band is Turks and Caicos heritage.

And because of its origins, its pioneers and the extraordinary contribution of Turks and Caicos Islanders to its development, the Bahama Brass Band also forms part of the wider story of Turks and Caicos heritage.

It belongs within that story because so much of what it became came from the people of these islands. The history of these two institutions should therefore not be used to divide. It should serve as a powerful reminder of the reach, resilience and influence of Turks and Caicos Islanders throughout the region.

On this historic Constitutional Holiday, there is an opportunity to celebrate that connection - to honour the pioneers, welcome their legacy home and allow present and future generations to understand the extraordinary contribution made by Turks and Caicos Islanders beyond these shores.

The Turks and Caicos Brass Band is part of the heritage of these islands. The Bahama Brass Band is connected to that heritage. The pioneers belong to Turks and Caicos history. And after generations and across borders, they remain the ties that bind.