Opposing the Public Holidays Amendment Act 2025

By Dr. Porsha Stubbs

I read with interest the article by Dr. Carlton Mills, a supporter of the now-holiday on the Turks and Caicos Islands calendar, Constitution Day. Sir, thank you for the history lesson, which holds a significant place in my heart and library of knowledge.

Dr. Porsha Stubbs

However, as an opponent of this change, I believe it should not have been added to the calendar of holidays for the Turks and Caicos Islands until we achieve Independence as a country.

The Turks and Caicos Islands remain the envy of the Caribbean, despite Bermuda's constitution, the effectiveness of Cayman Islands immigration legislation, and the strength of the British Virgin Islands' external financial economy. Yet every little breeze from the North influences what we do as a country and how we ensure that the culture, character, and creativity of the Turks and Caicos remain uncertain.

For example, there were many expressions on social media regarding Maskanoo 2025, held annually in partnership with internal stakeholders in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Boxing Day.

As a former minister of the cabinet (2012- 2016), depending on who you ask, and at what time, the Turks and Caicos Islands celebrate both Massing and Junkanoo. When things are not adequately documented and adapted, chaos continues.

I oppose the recent addition of Constitution Day to the calendar of Holidays in the Turks and Caicos Islands. My reason: the growth of anything commences internally, and we seem to have a propensity always to destroy what we have built to please the palate of a few of us. Yes, we need to be reminded of where we came from and how we got here, but the day could have been added to the calendar as an acknowledged day rather than a recognized holiday.

As former holders of cabinet positions, we are expected to agree to some things we do not personally agree with. Without a confession, I can only assume that you (Dr. Mills) did not agree to all the decisions and changes made every time, a lesson I learned as minister responsible for culture during the 2012-2016 period. In my humble opinion, neither history nor culture was efficiently or accurately dispersed, nor were the alignment nor the specifics aligned.

 The creation of the Culture Policy framework, which I have yet to see a copy of, commenced, or may not have commenced, can assist this. 

The country's achievements are significant, yet the will to achieve what is vital to us as Turks and Caicos Islanders is not adequately celebrated, which is why the lesson you so ably outlined should not be celebrated in that form. The day without programs and resources will die, as many vital recognitions in our country do.

The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, recognized on the calendar as the National Day of Thanksgiving, was born to give God thanks and praise for the achievements, lessons, and words inserted by us in the preamble of the Constitution, “The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are a God-fearing people with convictions based on sound Christian culture, values and principles...” the removal symbolizes that we are uncertain in what we believe. 

The stand indicated that the Government took this commitment to God and country seriously, admonishing our citizens not to take prayer and thanksgiving lightly, and by choosing a day on which to celebrate it as a nation. The change of date in 2025 was improperly advised, and the

government should have consulted.  It is not JUST a holiday for shopping; it was a day set aside to strengthen what remains.  Yes, most of the island residents participate in religious practices on Saturday and Sunday, but this holiday symbolized the government's dedication to God and country.

Evidently, history is vital to who we are, and it must be taught.  Hence, to those in authority, consider these: overwhelm our citizens daily with our history, partner with civic groups, offer information sessions for aspirants to public office, and include orientation seminars for future and existing public servants, and the inclusion of such important information in the education

curriculum, in our own social studies text.  In line with the culture policy, increase amplification during National Heritage Month celebrations (October, 31 days) through programs and widespread marketing to ALL. Nothing happens overnight except by some miracle, but we must cease to appear uncertain and dictatorial.

To the Government, our government, 16-3, please return the National Day of Prayer and the Thanksgiving holiday, which belong to God and the people of our nation. Consider this, there would be no Mills, Higgs, Hall, Lightbourne, Stubbs, Williams, Misick, Missicks, Forbes, Pratt, Delancy, Malcolms, Fulford’s, Gardiners, Grants, Rigby, Durhams, Neat, Saunders, Dickenson, Astwood, Jolly, Howell, Swann’s, Morley’s, Robinsons, Butterfields of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Therefore, my fellow citizens, I urge you to advocate and call your Member of Parliament, asking them to please return the day set aside for Prayer and Thanksgiving – the National Day of Thanksgiving- to the Public Holidays Amendment Bill as a holiday, not an acknowledged day. 

I end with the words of the Oseta Jolly, “WE are Out to BUILD the Turks and Caicos.”

Dr. Porsha Stubbs, a graduate of Regent University, holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston Victoria, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science. Former Cabinet Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (2012- 2016), Member of the House of Assembly (2016-2020). Author of the book ‘No Fault, a personal journey on leadership and life experiences’.