Garifuna Cultural School (Southern Cailornia)

An important stage in the institutionalization
of Garifuna Culture so it will be recognized in this bureaucratic age.

From: Cheryl Noralez <garifunaheritagefoundation@yahoo.com>

GAHFU: GARIFUNA CULTURE & LANGUAGE SCHOOL GOALS

1. To teach Garifuna language to Garinagu and non-Garinagu children, youths and adults.:
This includes the teaching of the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and imaging.

2. To instill among Garinagu and friends of Garinagu an appreciation and love for our beautiful, expressive language, music, culture, beliefs, religion, folklore, crafts and our way of life and for things that are Garifuna.

3. To promote the idea of American patriotism with the knowledge that there can be a harmonious cultural diversity within the American cultural mosaic which enhances a dynamic Garifuna identity.

4. To nurture, promote, practice retrieve and document Garifunadu in due time before it is lost.

5. To continue the work and effort of the Garifuna conscientization process so that Garinagu will know where they come from, and to have a sense of where they are going as a unique group of people.

6.To explore the use of Garifuna native skills for the purpose of preserving and disseminating their music, dance, entertainment, craftwork, etc.

7. To facilitate, speed up, and to assist in the development and establishment of the first officially California-State-recognized Garifuna Culture and Language School in the Western United States .

8. To have very meaningful involvement and participation in the observance and celebration of the four major Garifuna events:

8 a. March 14, 1795 Chief Joseph Chatuye's Memorial. He fought against the British for his people and was killed on this date.

8 b. April 12, 1797 Arrival of all Garinagu to Honduras , Central America

8 c. November 19, 1802 Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize

8 d. November 26, 1802 Garifuna Settlement Day in Guatemala