Indigenous heritage took centre stage at the Banwari Trace Archaeological Site in San Francique on Sunday, as the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago commemorated World Indigenous Peoples’ Day by showcasing traditional knowledge, cultural artefacts and the nation’s prehistoric past through an Ice Age Fossil Outreach.
The Banwari Trace Archaeological Site carries profound historical significance, as it was here that the remains of Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest known inhabitant were discovered, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the country’s earliest inhabitants.
Leading a smoke ceremony to open Sunday’s proceedings, Chief of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, Ricardo Bharath Hernandez, called for greater respect and recognition for Indigenous people.
“It took thirty years of advocacy before the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with forty-six articles that speak to issues affecting indigenous peoples worldwide. While we know that many of our governments signed on to this declaration, it is still a challenge for them to honour the requirements of the declaration by implementing them at a national level.”
Cacica of the Warao people, Anicia Ortancia Benjamin, also paid homage to her ancestors.
In keeping with this year’s theme, ‘Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being’, she reflected on their vital role.
“Across oceans, continents, these women were the original stewards of birth. They did not merely offer medical assistance. They were knowledge keepers, spiritual anchors, and pillars of their communities. In indigenous traditions birth was never treated simply as an isolated medical event but as a sacred passage of life.”
Australian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Sonya Koppe; Ambassador of Mexico to Trinidad and Tobago, Víctor Hugo Morales Meléndez; First Secretary at the Canadian Embassy, Hamish Hunter; and a representative of the Chilean Embassy, Cristoban Hernandez, all shared the view that Indigenous people must be respected, recognised, and given better opportunities for development.
National Trust researchers Dr Ryan Mohammed and Dr Alexus McKylo encouraged attendees to learn more about the repatriated fossils to gain a greater understanding of this country’s unique biodiversity.
Dr Rampersad said, “One of the main reasons I think at least I would like to see the Glyptodont, which is one of our prehistoric animals that we would be highlighting here today, one of the main reasons I want to see it highlighted. I personally think it should be on a hundred dollar note, simply because it is our earliest biodiversity representation that Trinidad and Tobago was once connected, once one unified landmark, it is our truest sense of connectivity between the two islands.”