Message from the Chairman
May 5, 2010
In 2007, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in its effort to bring greater recognition to our first ancestors, began the celebration of Taino Day. The event has grown steadily in the years since then, to the point where it is now a recognized event on the school's calendar of events as sent out by the Ministry of Education.
In celebrating Taino Day this year, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust is placing special focus on the Taino influence on Jamaica's folk tradition. In so doing, we hope to continue the process of public education on the importance of our early inhabitants and their role in shaping our cultural identity.
Taino Day is a time to learn more about our early inhabitants, how they lived and the lessons they left behind. We invite your participation in any of our activities, whether it's a lecture or viewing of exhibition of artefacts or simply to take your family and friends along to a Taino site such as Seville Heritage Park or Two Sister's Cave. You can also help us to keep the Taino heritage alive by protecting the visible clues they left behind. Artefacts such as the Taino rock art and pottery have become part of our fascinating folklore. By learning about our Taino ancestors, we also learn about ourselves as a people. Let us protect the rich legacy they left behind.
Patrick Stanigar
JNHT Chairman
