CHANT - Crucian Heritage And Nature Tourism

22/04/2025

2025 Career and Technical Education Summer Exploration Program!

2025 Career and Technical Education Summer Exploration Program!

The Virgin Islands Department of Education reminds the public of the 2025 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Exploration Program on St. Croix, a hands-on learning experience designed for students entering Grades 7–9!

From Culinary Arts and Information Technology to Cosmetology, Electricity, Aviation, and more, this immersive summer program will introduce students to real-world skills and exciting career paths.

📅 June 2 – July 2, 2025
🕗 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC)

$40 Registration Fee | Insurance Required

Register by May 16, 2025 using the QR Code on the flyer!

Space is limited and only available to first-time participants, so don’t wait!

For more information, contact:
📧 Betina Jules-Larocque: [email protected]
📧 Juel Mills: [email protected]

Let’s prepare the next generation of leaders, innovators, and creators one skill at a time!

21/04/2025

💥 🌱💚🇻🇮

📢 On April 16, our Founder and Executive Director Sommer Sibilly-Brown testified before the USVI Legislative Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture on the state of agriculture in the Virgin Islands. Here's a snapshot of what she said:

💡 Agriculture Is an Untapped Economic Engine.💡 …We import over $154 million in food annually. Just replacing 10% of poultry imports with local production would recapture $1.9 million into our economy. This is about more than food—it’s about business, jobs, and sovereignty.

🌱 The Problem Isn’t Will. It’s Access. 🌱 …There are over 676 farms in the VI, but more than 60% make under $5,000/year. Our farmers are aging. Land is underused. We face a layered lack of access—to land, water, capital, cold storage, technical support, and respect.

🚱 Climate Is Changing. Farmers Are Struggling. 🚱 …Drought, extreme heat, and new pests are affecting yields. Infrastructure is crumbling. Many farmers can't get seeds, water, or equipment. Land leases are stalled. Every day we delay, we risk losing another farm.

🧭 We Know What to Do. We Just Need to Act. 🧭 …We’ve studied it. We’ve heard from farmers. We’ve built mock-up models and data systems. We’ve laid out clear recommendations—from flexible capital and licensing reform to a 20% local food mandate in government programs.

🌍🇻🇮 This Is About Survival and Legacy 🇻🇮🌍 ….We can’t have world-class tourism, public health, or strong communities without food security. We can’t pass on culture without fish, mamey, gooseberry, and guavaberry.

💥 Now is the time
💥 Join the movement for
💥 Because 🌱💚🇻🇮

➡️ Link to read the full testimony:
https://bit.ly/April2025Testimony

➡️ Stay tuned for more…

19/04/2025

Conservation to Coastal Access – We’ve Got News!

🌊 Conservation to Coastal Access – We’ve Got News! 🐚

From the territory’s comprehensive land and water use plan to working with border security to protect our natural treasures like sand and shells and even enhancing boating access opportunities — there's a lot happening at the VI Division of Fish & Wildlife!

Dive into the third issue of our magazine to explore the latest updates and stories that impact our environment and community. 🌴📖

👉 Click to read: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2ce84e5b31.html

17/04/2025

National Poetry Month Spotlight: Urania P. Cummings (1889–1978) 📚

This , CHANT proudly honors Urania Prince Cummings, a multifaceted artist, poet, educator, and cultural pioneer born in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies.

🌟 Artistic Journey:
• Cummings began her artistic pursuits later in life, studying painting, ceramics, and public speaking after raising her family.
• Her work includes the evocative painting Grandmother’s Rocking Chair (1974), housed in the American Folk Art Museum.
• She was recognized in a 1972 article in The Sun Reporter as the oldest practicing Black painter at the time.
📝 Literary Contributions:
• Cummings's poetry and lectures often reflected her deep connection to Caribbean culture and her experiences as a West Indian in San Francisco.
• She was an active member of the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), engaging in community and cultural initiatives.
🎧 Oral History:
• An insightful interview with Cummings, conducted by Ruth Beckford around 1971, delves into her life, art, and the West Indian community in San Francisco.
Join us in celebrating Urania P. Cummings's enduring legacy and her contributions to the rich tapestry of Virgin Islands culture.

15/04/2025

National Poetry Month Spotlight: J. P. Gimenez (1893–1953) 📜

This , CHANT proudly honors José Patricio Gimenez, affectionately known as the "Virgin Islands Mystic Poet." Born in St. Thomas in 1893, Gimenez's evocative poetry captured the essence of Virgin Islands life, weaving together folklore, spirituality, and cultural pride.

Notable Works:
Virgin Islands Folklore and Other Poems (1933): A compilation of verse, musical compositions, and poems in the Virgin Islands vernacular, providing an articulate tapestry of Virgin Islands life.

Caribbean Echoes (1934): A collection reflecting the rhythms and narratives of Caribbean culture.

Deep Waters (1939): A profound exploration of the depths of human emotion and island experiences.

Voice of the Virgin Islands (1952): A testament to the enduring spirit and voice of the Virgin Islands people.

🖋️ Gimenez's poetry not only celebrated the rich traditions of the Virgin Islands but also addressed significant historical moments. His broadside poem, A Virgin Islands’ Tribute to the Memory of our Beloved President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, stands as a poignant homage to the late president.

Join us in commemorating J. P. Gimenez's legacy and his invaluable contributions to Virgin Islands literature.

There is a known photograph of José Patricio Gimenez, online. You can follow this link to view it: https://davidanthembookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/12754.jpg?auto=webp&v=1734615197

15/04/2025

With Youth Art Month USVI – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

14/04/2025

Important Public School Closure Dates:
Easter & Spring Break!

Important Public School Closure Dates:
Easter & Spring Break!

Dear Parents and Guardians, please be advised that all public schools territory-wide will be CLOSED on the following dates in observance of Easter Break and Spring Break:

📌 Easter Break: April 17 – 21, 2025
📌 Spring Break: April 28 – May 2, 2025

We kindly ask that you make the necessary arrangements for your child(ren) during these scheduled breaks. Thank you for your continued attention and cooperation.

09/04/2025

National Poetry Month Spotlight: Tiphanie Yanique ✨

This National Poetry Month, CHANT proudly spotlights Tiphanie Yanique, a celebrated poet, novelist, and St. Thomas native whose work captures the heart and complexity of Caribbean identity.

Her award-winning poetry collection Wife earned the 2016 Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection from the Forward Prizes for Poetry. Yanique’s writing explores themes of love, womanhood, colonialism, and cultural memory with bold, lyrical brilliance.

💬 Her voice is unmistakably Virgin Islands—rich, rooted, and resonant.

Join us in honoring Tiphanie Yanique’s contributions to Caribbean literature and share your favorite poem or quote from her work below!

07/04/2025

National Poetry Month Spotlight: J. Antonio Jarvis (1901–1960) 🌟

This National Poetry Month, CHANT honors J. Antonio Jarvis, a distinguished Virgin Islander poet, educator, and historian. Born on November 22, 1901, Jarvis was among the first to document the history and culture of the Virgin Islands. ​
St. Thomas Source

Literary Contributions:
Bamboula Dance and Other Poems: A collection capturing the rhythm and spirit of Virgin Islands' traditions.​

The Virgin Islands and Their People: A seminal work providing deep insights into the territory's heritage. ​

Jarvis's dedication to education led to the renaming of the Abraham Lincoln School in his honor, now known as the J. Antonio Jarvis Elementary School. ​
GovInfo

Join us in celebrating the legacy of J. Antonio Jarvis this by exploring his works and reflecting on the rich cultural tapestry of the Virgin Islands.

07/04/2025

You're Invited: St. Croix Adult Education Career & Cultural Fair – April 10, 2025!

You're Invited: St. Croix Adult Education Career & Cultural Fair – April 10, 2025!

We are excited to invite you to our St. Croix Adult Education Program Career and Cultural Fair taking place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at 3017 Penitentiary, Christiansted, St. Croix.

This enriching event will feature both theoretical and hands-on sessions led by a variety of local agencies and cultural practitioners. It’s a day of inspiration, exploration, and education designed to celebrate Virgin Islands heritage and support lifelong learning.

Morning Sessions (8:00 am – 11:30 am)
Learn from agencies including:
VI Department of Health
VI Department of Labor
VI Department of Personnel
VI Department of Human Services
University of the Virgin Islands
Gold Coast Yacht
Bank of St. Croix
Army & Air National Guard

Afternoon Sessions (12:30 pm – 3:00 pm)
Enjoy hands-on learning from:
Careem Smith – Quadrille History & Dance
Lyra Tonge – Candy Making
Waldemar Brodust – 340 Wire Arts
Akeem McIntosh – Body Butter
Alisha Belardo & Shamoi Garcia – Tie Dye

Door prizes, cultural demonstrations, and registration for the 2025–2026 school year will be available on site!

There is a $10 participation fee, which covers food, drinks, and workshops.

Join us for a day of career exploration and cultural celebration.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
📧 [email protected] | [email protected]
📞 (340) 778-0339

03/04/2025

🌺✨ National Poetry Month Spotlight: Althea Romeo-Mark

CHANT is honored to spotlight Althea Romeo-Mark, a distinguished Virgin Islander poet whose powerful words explore themes of identity, diaspora, and cultural heritage. Born in Antigua and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Romeo-Mark has published five volumes of poetry and received the Marguerite Cobb McKay Prize from The Caribbean Writer in 2009.

Her work resonates across borders, capturing the voices of Caribbean people and their global journeys. Through poetry, she weaves history, resilience, and a deep connection to home.

Celebrate her legacy with us this by discovering her poetry and sharing your favorite Caribbean poets in the comments!