The Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education

There are freedoms we enjoy every day that came at a cost most of us will never fully know.

On Memorial Day, we pause not to celebrate war, but to remember those who never came home. We honor the brave men and women who answered the call to serve and gave their lives in defense of our nation and the ideals we hold dear.

Their sacrifice was not measured only on distant battlefields. It is measured in the birthdays they missed, the families they left behind, the dreams they never had the opportunity to fulfill, and the future they secured for generations they would never meet.

This year, as we observe Memorial Day under the theme “For We Are Grateful,” we are reminded that gratitude is more than words. It is a commitment to remember. It is a promise that the lives of our fallen heroes will not fade from our collective memory.

Here in the Virgin Islands, we pay special tribute to the sons and daughters of these islands who wore the uniform of our nation with honor, courage, and pride. Their legacy lives on in the freedoms we enjoy, the opportunities we pursue, and the communities we continue to build.

As we gather with family and friends, attend ceremonies, visit memorials, or simply observe a moment of quiet reflection, let us remember those whose sacrifice made our way of life possible.

To the families who carry the weight of that loss every day, know that your loved ones are remembered, honored, and deeply appreciated by a grateful Territory.

Today, and always, we remember.

For we are grateful.

Read More Here: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryans-memorial-day-message-for-we-are-grateful/

https://goopenusvi.vide.vi/courseware/lesson/791

Fireburn and Today’s Economy: Understanding Labor Rights Across Time  This module examines labor movements in the Virgin Islands of the United States from emancipation in 1848 through the early twentieth century. Students explore how Afro-Caribbean workers challenged unfair labor systems connected to plantation agriculture, maritime trade, and colonial economies thr...

African Liberation Day traces back to May 25, 1963, when independent African nations formed the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The day emerged during a period when many African countries were fighting colonial rule, apartheid, and economic exploitation. Leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah believed African unity could strengthen political independence and improve economic conditions across the continent.

For the Caribbean, African Liberation Day carries deep meaning because much of the archipelago descends from Africans displaced through the transatlantic slave trade. Across the Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico corridor and throughout the Caribbean island chain, African cultural traditions continue through language, foodways, music, spirituality, farming knowledge, and community practices. The day therefore reflects both historical connection and present-day responsibility.

The internationally shared statement, “African Unity: The Best Way to Lift Africans Out of Poverty and Other Socio-Economic Challenges,” reflects many of the realities island communities continue to face today. The Virgin Islands imports roughly 95–98% of its food supply and remains heavily dependent on imported fuel for electricity generation. This means global inflation, hurricanes, shipping disruptions, and rising oil prices quickly affect grocery costs, water access, and household survival. At the same time, coral reef decline, stronger storms, climate pressures, and sargassum blooms continue to threaten fisheries, coastlines, tourism, and ecological health throughout the Caribbean maritime corridor.

For diasporic communities, liberation therefore remains connected to sustainability, collective responsibility, and long-term resilience. Food security, renewable energy, ecological stewardship, and stronger inter-island cooperation continue to shape how communities prepare for the future while honoring the struggles that African Liberation Day was founded upon.

CMCArts June Summer Series! Not a summer camp, but a twice a week art series under the guidance of Lisa DeAbreu, Artist-in-Residence.

Youths: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am-12pm

Teens: Wednesdays & Fridays 9am-12pm

Sea turtles have navigated Caribbean waters for millions of years.

The SPAW Protocol's Annex II ensures they continue to do so.
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Our VAST Summer Program for teens aged 15 -18 will run from June 22 to July 24 this year. Sign your teen up for a hands on summer experience in architecture, historic preservation, traditional crafts, historical storytelling, and cutting edge technology. Contact [email protected] or call 340-713-8424 for more information.

From the VIMCCC Archives
Campaign Platform Flyer
Cica, 1900s

Original document from a private collection