By LINDSAY THOMPSON,Bahamas Information Services

She has meticulously been preserving the culture, history and heritage of The Bahamas for more than 30 years and at age 60, is still championing the cause.

Dr. Gail Saunders, former Director of Archives, has been appointed Director-General of Heritage, effective July this year. Although an advisory post, she will still be involved in the passion she has been unable to quell.

Cabinet created the post of Director-General of Heritage in 2000. Dr Saundersâ duties include, amongst other things, advising the Minister responsible on policy matters relating to the Department of Archives, the Records Centres, the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation, the National Gallery of Art, and heritage generally.

Dr. Saunders is to ensure that the care and preservation of the national and

historical patrimony of The Bahamas are effectively and efficiently administered, and to promote public awareness and understanding of Bahamian

heritage, both nationally and internationally.

Dr Saunders' successor is Mrs. Elaine Toothe, in whom she has an enormous

amount of confidence and has passed on the heritage of preserving Bahamian

history. Dr Saunders says that over the last 10 years, Mrs. Toothe has received vast local and international exposure in the field.

"She has worked very closely with me and so I'm very, very confident in her

ability," Dr Saunders says. "I feel very happy that I have really involved her. I think that everybody should think of succession. Nobody can be there forever. It is only right that we should train the people under us to take over."

Dr. Saunders was recently awarded a Honourary Doctorate of Laws degree from

the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, a crowing

achievement in her career.

She was born in Nassau on March 10, 1944, to Basil and Audrey North. She

received her early education at Queen's College and graduated in 1966 with

an honours degree in History from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne,

England, United Kingdom. She earned a postgraduate certificate in Education

from the University of Leicester in 1967.

Two years later, she received training in Archives and Records Management at

University College, London. In 1978, the University of the West Indies awarded her a Master of Philosophy degree in History. In May 1985, the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, awarded her a Doctor of Philosophy degree in History.

Dr. Saunders taught at the Government High School between 1967 and 1968, and in 1969 joined the Department of Archives, established by an Act of

Parliament in December, 1971.

Self taught in Bahamian history — during her early education Colonial history was taught in schools as The Bahamas was still under British rule —

Dr Saunders came across two books written by Michael Craton on Bahamian

history while at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She was also exposed

to the Public Records Office in London and became very interested, not only

in the preservation aspect, but also in history.

"I've been lucky in my career to head an institution that preserves the written history of The Bahamas and for quite a long time, until 1999, the materials, museum and archaeology and historic preservation came under the Archives," she says.

After the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Act came into effect in 1999,

and her appointment as chairperson of the National Art Gallery Committee, Dr

Saunders was very much involved in the establishment of the National Art

Gallery.

"The visual heritage is very important as well," says Dr Saunders. "We don't

know very much about our history."

Heritage is valued and historic things passed down from previous generations. It involves the written and visual material of a society.

As to whether enough is being done to preserve the Bahamian heritage, Dr. Saunders says the Government of The Bahamas should feel proud that it has

established the Department of Archives pre-Independence.

And although the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation took "a

while" to be established, Dr Saunders notes that the department established the Pompey Museum in 1992, worked with the Central Bank to restore Balcony

House, which opened in 1993, established contact with the museums in Green

Turtle Cay, Abaco, established the San Salvador Museum, restored Fort

Charlotte and did other things to preserve Bahamian heritage.

As Director of Archives, Dr Saunders was involved in archaeology; working

with a consultant and staff members on the excavation of the historic Clifton Cay, and with a Government-appointed committee, carried out the mandate to restore and establish Villa Doyle as the National Art Gallery.

Dr. Saunders was also curator for The Bahamas when the country was featured

at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D. C., in 1994.

"I've been fortunate that the Government had enough confidence in me to actually say, look after museums, look after archaeology, look after historic preservations and so it's been very gratifying," she says.

To the perception that history and its associated aspects are boring, Dr. Saunders says: "I just think that unless you know your history you cannot come to grips with your identity and your whole sense of being. If you just appeared like topsy and have no memory, it's just a vacuum. How would that be? To me, that would cause a type of neurosis."

She cited Jamaicans as an example of a people who "seem so much more confident and so proud of their history."

"They are taught it in schools, they recognise their national heroes, their artists. Bahamians, we have to know and understand our history and to promote each other," Dr. Saunders says.

After dedicating her entire adult life to the vast area of heritage, culture, and history of The Bahamas, Dr. Saunders still finds the field fascinating. She cites the discovery of the Arawak religious leader Cacique's ceremonial stool — Duho — in caves in Long Island in 1988, a most memorable event for her.

She recalls Mr. Carlton Cartwright discovering the artifact while crabbing in the caves and the alert was sounded worldwide. Upon authentication of the findings, the Government was able to negotiate the purchase of three of the "priceless treasures," which are secured in a vault.

However, visitors to the Department of Archives on Mackey Street can view

the replicas of the Inagua and Turtle Duhos carved out of mahogany wood, and

The Bat Duho made out of cedar. The real Duhos will find a permanent home

after Collins House is restored and transformed into the National Museum.

Regarding the future of Bahamian heritage, Dr Saunders hopes the Government

is in favour of preserving the historical Clifton Cay, which is home to ruins of the Whyly Plantation, as a heritage site.

"It needs more excavation," she says. "I think it can be developed into a marvellous site with a stabilisation and restoration of several of the buildings."

She concludes that the future looks very bright for the preservation of Bahamian culture and heritage.

"The Bahamian people have to be very patient because restoring things takes

time and expertise. You can't just slap it together," she says.

In her spare time, Dr Saunders plays tennis, walk, read, and write, having

authored a number of historical books. Her favourite foods are conch salad,

macaroni and cheese, curry in moderation.

She is married to Attorney Winston Saunders, chairman of the National

Cultural Commission and a former Coroner.

Dr. Gail Saunders, newly-appointed Director-General of Heritage, stands next to a replica of the Turtle Duho on exhibit at the Department of Archives, Mackey Street.

(BIS Photo: Raymond Bethel)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NASSAU, The Bahamas ö Newly-appointed Director-General of Heritage Dr. Gail

Saunders, former Director of Archives talks about her new duties. (BIS

Photo: Raymond Bethel)

November 17, 2004

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November 17, 2004

CONTACT: Bahamas Information Services

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