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Biographical
data on PLANNING COMMITTEE:
(Authored by Elma L. Reyes)
CHAIRMAN:
Ricardo Hernandez-Bharath is the elected President of the
Santa Rosa Carib Community. He was born on at Calvary Hill, the
last Amerindian settlement in Trinidad and Tobago. Although he
migrated with his mother and siblings to the USA and finished
his schooling there, he dropped out of college, and eventually
gave up his “GREEN CARD” to work for the revitalization of the
indigenous heritage which was fast being lost. He was recently
elected to the Arima Borough Council to represent the ARIMA WEST
district where the Headquarters of the Santa Rosa Carib
Community is located, and is also Chairperson of the Borough
Council’s Sport & Culture Committee.
SECRETARY:
Jacqueline Khan has a “family tree’ with branches which
originated in Europe, Africa and Asia, but she is particularly
proud of the “roots” which predate the arrival of Columbus and
the colonising of Trinidad and Venezuela (where she also has
family ties). The author of “THE SANTA ROSA CARIBS OF ARIMA”
which she produced when Trinidad and Tobago hosted CARIFESTA V
(in 1992) she is currently involved with research for a book on
PARANG, the music employed by Capuchin missionaries to teach
Christian Doctrine and the Life of Christ to converted
indigenous people. She is the Manager of the “LOS NINOS DE SANTA
ROSA” Parang band.
ASST. SECRETARY:
Stephanie Campo, A teenaged member of one of the original
families of the Santa Rosa Community on Calvary Hill where she
resides. A graduate of Arima1s Senior Comprehensive School and
St. Dominic’s College, she has been a dedicated secretarial
assistant for the past three years, and assisted in compiling
researched infromation. She is currently involved with her
sister Suzan Campo (a scholarship student at Saskatchewan
Federated Indian College) in taking the first census of the
Santa Rosa Carib Community as the descendants of indigenous
people are not specifically identified in the national
(official) census.
RESEARCH OFFICER:
Elma Reyes is a former member of the working press, and is
now almost totally absorbed in research on the Amerindian past
and other indigenous endowments of Trinidad and Tobago. She is
the author of “The Santa Rosa Carib Community” and children’s
books “The Clearing in the Forest” and “Trini and Toby’s Nature
Alphabet.”
…more…
Advisors to the Planning Committee:
Patrick Noreiga
Senior member of the Santa Rosa Carib Community and acknowledged
expert on both traditional and contemporary building systems. He
has expert knowledge of the forests of North Trinidad.
Lawrence Augustus
Senior member of the Santa Rosa Community is an expert on palm
thatching, traditional construction such as “tapia” (mud-grass
walls) and “wattling”(woven bamboo and clay walls) and is a
gifted folk musician. The only known producer of the traditional
“Nhat” a woven room divider inherited from the indigenous
inhabitants, he also does basketry and “Terite” (forest reed)
weaving.
Julie Calderon
Affectionately known as “Mama Julie” by all and sundry, she is
one of the most respected elders of the Santa Rosa Community. An
expert cook, she is a specialist in the traditional foods of the
Amerindians of Trinidad
Francis and Bertie Calderon
Skilled palm thatchers and a carpenters equally capable of both
traditional Amerindian and contemporary building skills and very
knowledgable about forest lore.
Cristo Adonis
Young in years, but old in experience, his knowledge of the
forest, traditional lore inclusive of herbial medicines, has
made him popular as a lecturer to school groups and
organisations throughout the nation. Currently employed as a
Transport Officer his previous work experience included that of
Estate Supervisor which allowed him to practice and instruct on
conservation methods. He reads “everthing he can put his hand
on” relating to agriculture and anthropology, and serves the
community as Environmental Projects Planner.
Melan Garcia-Calbio
Currently serving his second term as elected member of the Arima
Borough Council for his home district Calvary Hill, he is a
gifted folk musician and composer whose output is inclusive of
the official song of the Community “SANTA ROSA” a Galeron sung
in English; and “ARIMA WAS” which is considered as the regional
anthem” of the Eastern Borough. He is responsible together with
Cristo Adonis for planning the project that is to be the FIRST
NATIONS BOTANICAL PARK.
Headquarters: 7A Paul Mitchell Street, Arima, Trinidad, West
Indies
[This was written by Elma Reyes, Research and Public Relations
Officer, circa 1992 or earlier] |
