West Indian Tribal Society

Brain Drain of indigenous communities forms one of the primary effects of colonization. The pull of better opportunities, social mobility and a more glamorous life in the cities compounded with the push of poor infrastructure, little to no opportunities, lack of resources and development of indigenous and rural communities leads to the exodus of a significant portion of the youth of these communities in search of a better life and greater opportunities. This phenomenon has been taking place for over 500 years, since the beginning of colonization here in the Americas. This phenomenon is what caused the two researchers selected to represent the West Indian Tribal Society, to grow up in the island's capital. Both their families moved to the city for a better life and to secure a proper education for their children. Heeding to ancestral calls, these two researchers returned to tribal life abandoning the city and its lures in an attempt to rescue a dying culture. This choice has not been without it's challenges and sacrifices as both researchers have endured much discrimation faced by indigenous people worldwide, as Indians are often looked down upon in Jamaica and elsewhere in the Americas. One of the researchers can recount stories of being ridiculed as a child for their indian heritage. All these factors account for the steady erosion of indigenous culture which distinguishes indigenous people. In an effort to revitalize the culture, two researchers will be sent to South America to document the culture of the indigenous people. Aspects of culture such as traditional foodways, languages, plants, herbal medicines, rites and ceremonies etc will be documented for the purpose of revitalizing indigenous culture in Jamaica and the wider Americas. Help the West Indian Tribal Society, a charitable trust organization for indigenous people to raise funds to travel to South America to learn traditional languages, foodways, plants, herbal medicine, rites and ceremonies etc from indigenous people living in various parts of South America such as people who dwell on the banks of both the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers. We aim to learn as part of our efforts of cultural preservation and revitalization of indigenous culture in the Americas. We are raising funds to enable two members to travel and stay in South America to acquire the requisite knowledge and information to necessary for the revitalization and preservation of indigenous culture.

"My mom used to tell me stories of how she was ridiculed as a child for her indian heritage, and even myself growing up, there was shame associated with being indigenous because of generations of racial discrimination against indigenous people. I'd love to see a library or a some sort of center where children can access cultural material that will instill pride in being indigenous and the history and culture of their ancestors. " -Malkia

"Built in within us as indigenous people is an inherent fear for the medical establishment as even myself and members of my family have suffered from medical malpractice. Historic experimentation on indigenous and minority communities have reinforced the need for indigenous people to revitalize and preserve our traditional medicines which addresses our spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing as a whole and does not seek to separate these critical aspects which contribute equally to our human development.  Traditional medicine has kept indigenous people alive for millennia and it is vital that we revitalize these traditions to ensure the survival of indigenous people. I'd love to see the creation of an indigenous wellness center or clinic of sorts, to address the spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of indigenous people using indigenous methods such as the ones we aim to learn in our journey to South America" - Alex