Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Valley Constituency, Dr. Irving McIntyre has urged residents of that community to value their heritage and the ” human treasures” amongst them.
He was delivering remarks at Heritage Day celebrations held in Trafalgar on the weekend.
“As we celebrate our 44 years of Independence under the theme: ‘One Dominica, One People, One Vision’, I urge all residents to value the human treasures among us who possess a high degree of knowledge, skills, and history about our heritage,” Dr. McIntyre said.
According to him, Trafalgar’s diversity is one of its greatest resources. Its human resource, agricultural produce, entrepreneurs, sports, and entertainment are key aspects of the community’s heritage and each plays a vital role in promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, peace, and economic development.
“I hope that collectively we can restore and preserve our heritage and use these opportunities to address the challenges faced by our community,” he stated.
Furthermore, he stated that the heritage of a people plays a significant role in collective actions which leads to pivotal steps in nation-building.
Dr. McIntyre said as a community, “we can use the cultural heritage that connects our past with future generations, to give us a better sense of our personal identity, to promote cooperation in our communities, and to build a stronger sense of awareness that propels for national reconstruction and the transformation of the Roseau Valley.”
He pointed out that the arts, cuisine, traditions, entertainment, and hospitality sectors should seek to entice visitors and advance the nation’s health and tourism product.
Dr. McIntyre encouraged those visiting from abroad to appreciate Dominica’s stellar contribution towards cultural preservation within the region.
“I urge you to use the opportunity, if you have not already done so, to embrace this community’s natural beauty and extend that visit to our neighbouring community,” he said.
He also urged residents of the Roseau Valley Constituency, especially those from Trafalgar to cherish, protect and preserve their culture.
“Get more involved, be aware, and learn all you can to be able to keep the culture alive.” Dr. McIntyre said.