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GAMAE ARTS AND CULTURE DIVISION

In 2001, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed the traditional language, dance and music of the Garifuna a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Without the preservation of the traditional Garifuna, history, cultural heritage, and language, and without the preservation of traditional Garifuna entrepreneurship skills of furniture-making, fishing, sewing, agriculture, arts and craft, and the oral tradition of passing down stories, beliefs and concepts from one generation to the next, the Garifuna culture heritage and language could be forever lost. In lieu of the UNESCO mandate, the GAMAE Arts Division is seeking to preserve all the traditions of the Garifuna people, also known as the Garinagu.

(P3) GNTM. Protect, Promote, Preserve the Garifuna Nation Through Media.  This is a community effort to collaborate with various organizations having a similar vision to move the Garifuna Nation through media as a global platform.  We will copyright our work as through fait accompli UNESCO Proclamation of Garifuna Language, Dance and Music as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity has been accomplished. We seek this venture as a legal entity to protect the heritage and culture of the Garifuna people synergistically securing economic development while moving the Garifuna people forward as a race.  Preservation of the culture will be through the archival filming of our community projects that promote our race and ultimately create better economic standards for our people.

LET’S NOT FORGET OUR HISTORY***MABULEIDA WAMEI WALANGANTE

THE GAMAE GARIFUNA LANGUAGE & CULTURE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (THE INSTITUTE)

VALUES:

  • Academic excellence and integrity
  • Outstanding teaching and services
  • Scholarly research and professional leadership
  • Integration of teaching, research, and service
  • Individual and collective excellence
  • Diversity, equity, and social justice
  • Education of individuals across the life span
  • Collegiality and collaboration

BELIEFS

  • A literate and educated citizenry is vital to a democratic society.
  • All people are entitled to a high-quality education, grounded in sensitivity to individual dignity, professional integrity, and a positive and nurturing environment.
  • A dynamic education system fosters an equitable, productive economy in a global environment.
  • Teaching and learning should be informed by scholarly research and effective practice.
  • School improvement should be based on sound research, the application of theory as it relates to effective practice, policy development, and collaboration with practitioners.
  • Technology should be used to improve the quality of teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and outreach to the state, nation, and the world.

Eleanor Castillo Bullock
DIRECTOR, GAMAE ARTS AND CULTURE

THE GAMAE GARIFUNA LANGUAGE & CULTURE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (THE INSTITUTE)

The GAMAE Garifuna Language & Culture Educational Institute (GGLCEI – The Institute) will be the fulfillment of the ultimate goal for Garifuna Arts, Medicine, Agriculture and Education (GAMAE) a Non-Profit, Tax-Exempt 501 (C)(3) Organization and its mission to promote, protect and preserve the Garifuna history, heritage, spirituality, traditions, culture and language through Education as a strategy and a plan for the Economic Growth and Development of the Dangriga Garifuna Community. The Institute will provide the policy framework for the: safeguarding of the Garifuna tangible and intangible cultural heritage and language, promotion of cultural expression and creativity; development of the cultural and creative industries and for the development, management and sustainability of the Dangriga Carib Reserve cultural and agricultural resources at the nine hundred (900) Acres of agricultural farmland available in Dangriga, Belize.

THE GAMAE GARIFUNA LANGUAGE & CULTURE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (THE INSTITUTE)

CARIB RESERVE – DANGRIGA, BELIZE

During the course of ten years of consultations, cultural activists, stakeholders and community participants, GAMAE repeatedly identified a vision for an economic growth and development strategy and plan for the Dangriga Garifuna Community that will be based on the collective values of respect, tolerance, hard work, democracy, social justice and the empowerment of children, youth and young adults. It was suggested that these core values should be reanimated to ensure the success of future generations of Garifuna children, youth and young adults. For this reason, the Institute’s policy framework is a values-based document in which the participants will identify the need to build social cohesion among the diverse Dangriga populations, and to do so by proposing a model that allows all Garifuna children, youth, young adults and other cultural groups the theoretical and practical space for cultural expression and creativity.

THE GAMAE ARTS AND CULTURE DIVISION
UTILIZE THE PERFORMING ARTS MEDIUM TO PROMOTE GARIFUNA CULTURE AND LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION, PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

The GAMAE Performing Arts Programs and Projects are hands-on experience that allow the children, youth and young adults to participate in a performing arts workshop to build morale, leadership skills, public speaking, oratory, team development and to empower the younger generation. The goal is to have our students and participants pursue their creative skills, their talent, their dreams, and their aspirations and to gain valuable leadership skills that can lead them to fulfilling and rewarding careers.

https://www.facebook.com/habinaha.garinagu/videos/102996499833594/

https://ebullock6.wixsite.com/mysite

Habinaha Garinagu

The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program Culture Model (GGLDRRP).

In order to fulfill one of the primary visions of the GAMAE Garifuna Language & Culture Educational Institute (GLCEI) (The Institute) we propose a democratic and centralized model for Garifuna culture and most important the Garifuna language in Dangriga. It is referred to as The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program Culture Model (GGLDRRP). This program will assume that the Garifuna culture and cultural practices exists in all persons, communities, and groups and in some institutions in Belize with each having a role to play. However, most important of all, there are no assumptions to be made except for the fact that the Garifuna language practices or the speaking of the Garifuna language does NOT exist in the Garifuna people, or persons, communities, groups or in most of the educational institutions in Dangriga Belize. The Dangriga (GGLDRRP) Culture Model calls upon all stakeholders to fulfill their function within the laws and customs of an aboriginal indigenous and native language speaking community in a multi-cultural and democratic society particularly in Dangriga, Belize The Dangriga (GGLDRRP) Culture Model asks that all cultural actors consider the freedoms which are guaranteed within the constitution of Belize, and to allow the fulfillment of those rights, so that all persons and communities may properly assert their cultural identity and exercise creativity for personal and individual, educational and institutional, as well as national, international and global economic grown and development.

The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program Culture Model (GGLDRRP).

The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGSDRRP) is The GAMAE Garifuna Language and Culture Educational Institute (GLCEI) attempt to halt or reverse the decline of our Garifuna language and to make and attempt to revive it before it becomes extinct. Those involved will be Garifuna children, youth and young adults as well as Garifuna linguists, Garifuna teachers, Garifuna speakers, cultural and community groups, and the governments.

Some argue for a distinction between language revival (the resurrection of a dead language with no existing native speakers) and language revitalization (the rescue of a “dying” language).

It has been pointed out that there has not been a successful instance of a complete Garifuna language revival program, therefore The GAMAE Garifuna Language and Culture Educational Institute (GLCEI) will be the first to create a new generation of native Garifuna language speakers with existing Garifuna language native speakers as models.

The Garifuna Language is targeted for language revitalization because its use and prominence are severely endangered and facing extinction.

The GAMAE Garifuna Language and Culture Educational Institute (GLCEI) various tactics for The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGSDRRP) will be used to try to revive and save the endangered Garifuna language from extinction. Though the goals of the GGSDRRP will vary greatly the Program will typically involve attempt to expand the number of Garifuna language speakers and use of the Garifuna language, and we will try to maintain the current level of use to protect the Garifuna language from extinction and from language death.

The reasons for The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGSDRRP) is simple. In the recent times alone, it has been observed that the Garifuna language has been declared as endangered and facing extinction. UNESCO estimates that more than half of the Garifuna language speakers today are fewer than 10,000 speakers and that a quarter have fewer than 1,000 speakers and that, unless there are some efforts to maintain our Garifuna language, over the next hundred years more than likely it will become extinct.

The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGLDRRP).

These figures are cited as the reason why The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGSDRRP) is necessary to preserve our Garifuna language as well as our culture and identity.

Our Garifuna language is unique, and it is a “cultural treasure”. We see our Garifuna language as a unique part of our culture and heritage. Connecting our Garifuna language with our ancestors and with our land, make up an essential part of our history and self-image.

The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGSDRRP) will be closely tied to the linguistic field of language documentation. In this field, linguists attempt to create full records of our Garifuna language including grammar, vocabulary, and linguistic features. Our Program will lead to more concern for the revitalization of our complete Garifuna history, heritage, spirituality, culture and language. The task of documentation will be taken on as the goal of The GAMAE Garifuna Language in Danger Revival and Retrieval Program (GGSDRRP).

REVITALIZING, MAINTAINING AND SUSTAINING THE GARIFUNA LANGUAGE THROUGH THE PERFORMING ARTS: TRADITIONAL MUSIC, SONGS, DANCE, FOLKLORE

  • Uraga
  • Uremu
  • Aremuhani
  • Abinahani
    (Hugu-Hugu, Chumba, Punta, Wanaragua)
  • Abemahani
  • Arumahani
  • Dugu
  • Wareru
  • Dumurei
  • Wagarawoun
  • Wadourougu
  • Garifuna Drama
  • Garifuna Poetry
  • Garifuna Theatre/Plays
  • Plays
  • Skits
  • Theatrical Performances
  • Musical Theatre
  • Epic
  • Autobiographies
  • Tragedy
  • Farce
  • Comedy
  • Monologues
  • Solo Theatre / One Man-Woman Show
  • Historical Interpretations
  • Improvisation
  • Prose
  • Poems

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program

PROMOTING LEADERSHIP, EMPOWERMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

VISION:

We support the development of a new generation of dynamic Garifuna leaders by training and empowering Children, Youth and Young Adults.

MISSION:

We strive to provide a nurturing educational environment for academically and non-academically gifted and talented children, youth and young adults who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our educational programs are designed for Children 7-10, Youth 11-16 and Young adults 17-21 who demonstrate academic talent, creativity and leadership potential. We are seeking to empower and equip children, youth and young adults with the intellectual, creative and social skills necessary to assume positions of leadership in the Garifuna community.

OUR VALUES:

We support the development of a new generation of children, youth and young adults who by virtue of educating and motivating them, will lead the charge to transform themselves, their community, and the world around them. Our goal adheres to our Organization name GAMAE the Garifuna meaning of – ‘we have’ which encompass the ideals of humanity, compassion, service to others and giving what we have been blessed with, back to our community. The spirit of GAMAE permeates the GAMAE Arts Division Programs and is central to the way in which we are seeking to promote leadership, empowerment and entrepreneurship by teaching and training children, youth and young adults to think, speak, interact with others and to educate them by passing on and training them in traditional and contemporary Garifuna skills that will help them become leaders and become entrepreneurs.

GAMAE believe education is the key to transforming lives. When you educate young people, they take what they learn back to their community, and when you invest in young people, you are investing in their future, not only for the benefit of the community but also for the benefit of the world. We see our children, youth and young adults as the symbol and a beacon of light of what is possible. To see them blossom into the Garifuna cultured adults that we know they will become will inspire us to empower them to become the positive change agents in their lives and in our Garifuna community. We believe education is a way to end poverty and we are striving to make our children, youth and young adults accomplish their goals and achieve their dreams and achieve their personal best.

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP)

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

It’s time for each of us to support the leadership of generations to come who will be most affected by the global technology and economic changes. In the GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP) Program, GAMAE is seeking to empower, train and support approximately 500 Garifuna and non-Garifuna children, youth and young adult to lead a collaborative movement of young people to take direct actions for solutions to eliminate poverty starting in their own communities. This project needs our attention and support to bring it to life.

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP) for youth and young adults will provide opportunity for building a foundation of skills to address critical issues including poverty, unemployment, hardship, and dependency that enable youth to have meaningful participation in the process of planning for their own futures. Children, youth and young adults need to learn how to advocate for themselves and be trained in life skills in order to foster independence when transitioning to adult life. Organizations, communities and entities that encourage the voices of children, youth and young adults can provide opportunity for building a foundation of skills to address these critical issued and can help facilitate this process that enable children, youth and young adults to have meaningful participation in the process of planning for their own futures.

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP) will enable students and participants to receive stipends for sharing and utilizing their leadership training skills to participate in meetings and in organizing community projects in keeping with the GAMAE International economic growth and develop strategy and plan.

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP)

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

GARIFUNA ARTS AND CRAFT: TEACHING AND TRAINING IN TRADITIONAL CRAFT

  • Garifuna Drum Making
  • Carib Basket Weaving
  • Carib Cooking and Baking Equipment Making
  • Dance Genre Costume Making (Jankunu face, shells)
  • Garifuna Shaka Making
  • Garifuna Doll Making
  • arifuna Quilting
  • Garifuna Jewelry Art

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP)

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

GARIFUNA ARTS AND CRAFT: TEACHING AND TRAINING IN TRADITIONAL CRAFT

  • Garifuna Dress-Making
  • Garifuna Clothes Making/Sewing
  • Garifuna Taylors
  • Garifuna Furniture Making
  • Garifuna Cabinet Making
  • Garifuna House Building

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP)

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

GARIFUNA ARTS AND CRAFT: TEACHING AND TRAINING IN TRADITIONAL CRAFT

  • Garifuna Carib Canoe Making
  • Garifuna Carib Boat Making
  • Garifuna Carib Furniture Making
  • Garifuna Cabinet Making
  • Garifuna Chair and Table Making
  • Garifuna House Building
  • Garifuna Artifacts Making
  • Garifuna Coffin Making

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Training Program (GGAFLTP)

PROMOTING LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

Youth and young adults around the world feel fear and despair when they think about what changes, growth, development and employment could mean for their future. While this generation has the most at stake when it comes to training to obtain a skill, many young people don’t know where to start in addressing this critical issue. There are some youth and young adults who are looking for ways to be a part of the solution but need the training and support to take the next step.

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Program (GGAFSTP) look globally to further build on the community momentum to provide leadership training, employment and economic opportunities and create leaders, future entrepreneurs to boost economic development in all the Garifuna communities.

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Program (GGAFSTP) is primarily a youth and young adult leadership program created to promote the use of the art to teach and train the students and participants the use of voice, visual and vocal communication skills, public speaking, youth and young adult advocacy skills and increase participation in leadership roles to improve the systems that impact their lives in education, employment and financial independence by:

  • Empowering youth and young adults by providing resources and training dedicated to understanding how to utilize their leadership skills to further their education, obtain employment or created community economic growth and development projects.
  • Provide opportunities for trained youth and young adults to share their leadership skills to improve outcomes for other youth and young adults in their communities.
  • Training for youth and young adults about community leadership, self-advocacy, financial independence and employment opportunities.
  • Reviewing materials aimed at youth and young adults and providing recommendations to ensure resources employment opportunities are available.
  • Help the youth and young adults learn how to tell their story in ways that will make a difference at home, at school, and in their prospective community.

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Training Program (GGAFLTP)

PROMOTING LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Program (GGAFSTP) will comprised of a culturally diverse students and participants that will welcomes ALL youth and young adults ages 12 -25. There are no criteria for membership beyond that of wanting to learn, collaborate and hopefully have a little fun along the way. It is important to consider the needs of all members and provide accommodations as needed. The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Program (GGAFSTP) members will participate in face-to-face meetings, teleconferences, webinars and special events that are dedicated to increasing advocacy and improving their transition to adult life.

The students and participants of the The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Program (GGAFSTP) will be trained to become positive youth leaders, and will maintain a Facebook page to share resources, events and information, as well as a Youth Resources for Empowerment page on the GAMAE website. The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Leadership Program (GGAFSTP) students and participants will receive stipends for sharing and utilizing their leadership training skills to enable them to have leadership roles to participate in meetings and in organizing community projects in keeping with the GAMAE International economic growth and develop strategy and plan.

GARIFUNA LEADERSHIP: TEACHING AND TRAINING LEADERS

  • Leadership Skills
  • Developing Talents, Skills and Creativity
  • Public Speaking
  • Garifuna Toast Masters
  • Voice Training/Lessons
  • Voice Overs
  • Audience Direct and Indirect Communication
  • Overcoming Stage Fright
  • Journalism
  • Community Project Planning
  • Project Management

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Youth and Young Adults Empowerment Training Program (GGAYYAETP)

PROMOTING EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THE ARTS

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Youth and Young Adults Empowerment Training Program (GGATTAETP) provides youth and young adults with information and resources necessary for analyzing issues that affect their lives and environments that will help them become strong strategizes on ways to act as change agents in their communities. The GGATTAEP Program will empower youth to understand that their voice makes a huge difference in this world and that all ideas that are worth exploring will only give them more motivation and fuel to continue strengthening their own power for change. It will also help youth and young adults to understand that some people may not be ready to support their confidence, listen to them or guide and help them understand that thoughts, ideas and decisions take to make sure they are realistic and well thought through.

Good leadership habits produce sustainable leaders. Youth that have good leadership habits for their own well-being will help them become strong leaders on their own.

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Youth and Young Adults Empowerment Training Program (GGATTAETP) will train youth and young adults to know that failing is not a bad thing to happen, it’s actually important to find out what went wrong so they can improve and make it better the next time they try. Often the way to success is through failure. The Program will encourage youth to speak about to their triumphs often, to share their victories across all media platforms to reinforce the positive change that has occurred. This strategy will empower more positive action in our youth and young adults to continue and give them more foundation and support to work from.

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Youth and Young Adults Empowerment Training Program (GGAYYAETP)

PROMOTING EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THE ARTS

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Youth and Young Adults Empowerment Training Program (GGATTAETP) will support our youth and young adults in implementing community projects once they feel they have come up with a good strategy and the GAMAE Team will support them along the way. Allowing them to carry out their vision with the encouragement and coaching support that will be an empowering experience that will let them feel supported throughout the process of the Program.

The GAMAE Garifuna Arts for Youth and Young Adults Empowerment Training Program (GGATTAEP) will:

  • Give the youth and young adults tools to collaborate and problem solve, brainstorm and reflect.
  • Encourage the students and participants to use their passions for good.
  • Guide them to believe that their voice matters without judging or criticizing their ideas.
  • Guide them to understand that people will not always want to listen, just because we would like them to but to not take it personally.
  • Help them learn that sometimes even the most fabulous idea may need a bit more logistical planning.
  • Help youth develop habits, that in the end, they can sustain without ‘suggestions’ or prodding.
  • Give youth a chance for them to fail but help them to learn to succeed.
  • Employ storytelling of successful youth leadership to counteract negative messages about young people.
  • Invite the youth to launch community projects and ideas and support their progress.
  • Support and become involved with the “RISE FOR YOUTH” Program.

The GAMAE Garifuna Traditional Creative Skills Training Program (GGTCSTP)

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS

TEACHING AND TRAINING IN AND CONTEMPORARY CRAFT

  • Knitting
  • Crocheting
  • Canvas Work/Oil Painting
  • Embroidering
  • T-Shirts Art
  • Rug/Carpet Making
  • Weaving
  • Needle Point
  • Banner and Flag Making
  • Candle Making
  • Glass Art
  • Collage
  • Computer Art / Graphic Design (Flyers, Brochures)
  • Graffiti Art
  • Primitive Art
  • Video
  • Calligraphy
  • Costume Making for Contemporary Theatre
  • Illustrations
  • Ceramics
  • Color Photography
  • Cartoons and Animation
  • Illustrations
  • Sculpture
  • Origami
  • Glass Art
  • Stained Glass Art
  • Tapestry/Textile Art
  • Video Art
  • Carib Indian Art
  • African Art
  • History Painting
  • Landscape Painting
  • Black and White Photography
  • Monuments
  • Sculpture
  • Garifuna Art
  • Website Design
  • Architecture

GARIFUNA VISUAL ARTS:  TRADITIONAL ART: PHOTOGRAPHY, PAINTING, DRAWING, VIDEO

Painting ALL types including: