The Tribune

By AARON MILLER

A FIVE-year strategic plan for Junkanoo to be a transformative influence on social, cultural and economic development in The Bahamas has been launched by the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) through an independent task force.

The Junkanoo Think Tank has been formed by the JCNP to lead the initiative, which was conceived last year, to continue the growth of Junkanoo and help it progress and involves Bahamians who represent a wide variety of disciplines and walks of life.

At a press conference at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts yesterday, Noelle Nicolls, chairman of the Junkanoo Think Tank, introduced members of the group including Dr Nicolette Bethel, Bishop Arnold Josey, Nicole Sullivan, Kishlane O’Brien, Dr Robin Roberts, Ronald Simms, Archdeacon James Palacious, Arlene Nash Ferguson, V Charmaine Rolle, Chris Justilien, Eugene “Whitey” Higgs, Hugo George, Magistrate Renae McKay, Nicole Sutherland King and Peter Guilud.

“We are here today to recognise the time has long past for us to take a deeper look at this phenomenon we call Junkanoo; to look past the beautiful facade of the parade at the full potential of Junkanoo; and also to unleash this potential for the betterment of Junkanoo and the benefit of the nation as a whole,” Ms Nicolls said. “Junkanoo is more than a competition and more than a parade; rather Junkanoo is also a force for national development.”

The Think Tank has been tasked with the responsibility for tapping into the untapped potential of Junkanoo and to “be a source of economic empowerment for our people”.

Ms Nicholls said that Junkanoo “even as it stands now, a light hiding under a bushel”, is having a tremendous impact on communities in The Bahamas and is not being recognised or fully quantified from an economic, social and cultural point of view. She said that many sacrificing their efforts for Junkanoo was becoming an unbearable strain.

“We are facing great challenges as a community with poverty, crime prevention, education and and wealth creation, they call on us to use every tool in our toolbox. Junkanoo is the biggest device we have yet to use, a vehicle of creative survival,” Ms Nicholls said, alluding to its role in surving the “dehumanising institution” of slavery and overcoming oppression.

The Think Tank’s project is to develop a five-year strategic plan with the public’s support. “Without a doubt, Junkanoo has the capabilities of becoming the source of social development and we are hoping that our strategic plan will pave the way on the road for a unprecedented investment in Junkanoo,” Ms Nicolls said.

She promised a “thorough and frank” examination and that the group would be “relentless public advocates” for Junkanoo. She announced that the last three Saturdays in August would be opportunities for “community conclaves” in various parts of New Providence at which the public could consult on the strategic plan.