$350,000 in seed money for Junior Junkanoo

$350,000 in seed money for Junior Junkanoo
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle and stakeholders at the ceremony for the 2018-2019 Junior Junkanoo Parade Seed Monies Presentation. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

Seed funding to all schools registered to participate in the 2018-2019 Junior Junkanoo Parade is $350,000.

The announcement came Monday from Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle, who gave remarks yesterday at the seed monies presentation.

“I am pleased to advise that seed funding is being forwarded to administrators, district superintendents and our Ministry Family Island coordinators for Family Island schools participating in junior Junkanoo parades on their respective islands,” Minister Rolle said.

She also lauded the partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sol Petroleum, Ltd. — the title sponsor for Junior Junkanoo.

Minister Rolle noted that Junior Junkanoo “educates the ‘next’ generation of our most spirited cultural heritage exhibited in what is known as Junkanoo”.

“Secondly, it serves to allow the younger generation to display their talents and creativity,” she added.

“Tied directly with the local school system, the program is further structured to ensure that students have the opportunity for personal development through their engagement in healthy competition at the national junior level and, most significantly, the program serves as a feeder system for the senior Junkanoo groups, to secure the consistent growth and development of the Junkanoo product and to preserve in the annals of history the combination of those artistic expressions that best defines our cultural identity.”

Minister Rolle stated that it was her hope that the recently-established Cultural and Education committee, will work with “determined haste” to submit their recommendations of a viable and sustainable long-term educational program and curriculum that will strategically target the cultural education of the nation’s students.

“With this renewed focus, on the skills, techniques, resources, the disciplinary and organizational components required to create this cultural event we seek to ensure that Junkanoo [develops] even further,” Minister Rolle said.

“It will not only intrigue local onlookers, but fascinate the world through the uniqueness of the Bahamian inspired artists and artisans and cultural expressionists.

“To this end, the parade will commence at 6:00p.m. with the pre-schools leading the way. I am advised that last year the junior parade began on time, the children were on key and spectators and participants alike enjoyed a wonderful time together,” she added.

As it relates to the New Providence parade, Minister Rolle noted that, as of that date, 18 schools were registered, two of which will be from the Family Islands – the South Andros district and Tarpum Bay Primary.

“Moreover, the ministry has already purchased start-up materials in bulk, which are now being distributed to all participating schools in New Providence and the Family Islands,” she added.

Minister Rolle announced that junior Junkanoo parades will be held on Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, South Andros, San Salvador, and Cat Island – after a two-year break – and, for the first time, on Acklins, Mayaguana and Inagua.