This teacher-made  PowerPoint presentation can be used by the Virgin Islands History teachers to teach the topic: AFRICAN SLAVERY. 

More than 2,000 years ago there was likely a thriving Taino community in the heart of Charlotte Amalie. In 2013 contractors began turning up shards of pottery and other artifacts during otherwise routine roadwork on Main Street near Market Square. Work was temporarily halted and archeologists were called in to help dig up what was described as a “major” find. Thousands of artifacts were eventually discovered in a relatively small area. A short documentary was later produced about the dig and the many interesting objects found on site. - - US Virgin Islands DPNR and the State Office of Historic Preservation

This article examines the relationship between custody, access, and provenance through a case study of the records of a former Danish colony, the United States Virgin Islands. In 1917, when the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark, Danish archivists removed the majority of records created there during colonial rule and deposited them in the Danish National Archives. Following its establishment in the 1930s, the National Archives of the United States sent an archivist to the Virgin Islands to claim most of the remaining records and ship them to Washington. The native population of the Virgin Islands, primarily former colonials whose ancestors were brought from Africa as slaves, were left without access to the written sources that comprised their history. While all three parties have claims to custody of the records, the claim of the people of the Virgin Islands relies on an expanded definition of provenance that includes territoriality or locale, as well as on a custodial responsiblity for access. The competing custodial claims suggest a dissonance between legal custody, physical custody, and archival principles that may be resolvable through post- custodial management practices.

This teacher-made  PowerPoint presentation can be used by the Virgin Islands History teachers to teach the topic: THE FIRST VIRGIN ISLANDERS during the Pre-Columbus Era.

These lesson plans delve deep into the pivotal event of the 1878 Fireburn, a very significant labor uprising in the Virgin Islands, rooted in struggles for human and labor rights. The Fireburn remains a testament in Virign Islands history of the courage of estate laborers such as Mary Thomas, Axeline Salomon, Mathilde McBean, and Susanna Abramson. The students will be taken through the socio-political landscape of the former Danish West Indies through interactive activities, multimedia resources, and critical discussions that understand the events leading up to the uprising and its profound aftermath. This module is to be designed with the purpose of educating but, at the same time, encouraging pride and recognition from those who sacrificed so much by standing up against their own oppression and daring to imagine a more equitable life,, giving way to the current freedoms that exist today in the Virgin Islands of the United States. 

A  lesson plan on Hubert Harrison is available, with sections adapted for use with students in grades 2–5, 6–12, and beyond.An engaging and accessible introduction to Hubert Harrison is the goal of this lesson plan for children in grades 2–5, which incorporates interactive storytelling, creative exercises, and fundamental terminology. Younger students have a deeper understanding of Harrison's life and work during the Harlem Renaissance and his Caribbean / Danish West Indian heritage.The 6th–12th grade lesson plan delves deeply into Harrison's activist and scholarly endeavors. Analytical and critical thinking skills are developed through activities such as evaluating sources, giving speeches on civic responsibility, and conducting research. This section is designed to encourage older students to dig further into the complicated lives of historical figures and the contexts in which they lived, and to draw parallels between past and present issues.In addition to studying Harrison, this lesson plan provides students with a deeper understanding of how their actions can lead to societal shifts. 

A Historical Ecology of Slavery in the Danish WThis lecture by Justin Dunnavant at UC Santa Cruz focuses on the intersection of historical ecology and slavery in the Danish West Indies. He delves into various aspects, including the impact of the slave trade globally, archaeological methods for studying slave shipwrecks, and the ongoing relevance of archaeology in contemporary communities.

The key takeaway from this lecture is a deeper understanding of how the slave trade influenced global ecosystems and societies, particularly through the lens of historical ecology. Dunnavant emphasizes the critical role of archaeology in uncovering the material histories of enslaved peoples and how these insights can guide contemporary cultural and environmental preservation.

Pre-Watch Preparation
Contextual Background: Provide students with a background on the Danish West Indies, the transatlantic slave trade, and basic principles of archaeology and ecology. This could be in the form of a short reading assignment or a classroom lecture.
Key Vocabulary: Introduce key terms and concepts that will appear in the video, such as "historical ecology," "maritime archaeology," and "sustainable archaeology," to ensure students are not bogged down by unfamiliar terminology.

Justin Dunnavant begins the lecture by outlining his research focus on the historical ecology of slavery in the Danish West Indies, emphasizing the integration of archaeological methods with ecological awareness.

He introduces the significance of the transatlantic slave trade in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of the Virgin Islands, with particular attention to the archaeological evidence from shipwrecks.

Dunnavant discusses his work at the Estate Little Princess, a former Danish plantation on St. Croix, describing the artifacts found and their cultural implications.

The lecture highlights the environmental impacts of slavery, such as deforestation and landscape modification, which were integral to the plantation economy.

The role of community involvement in archaeological practice is underscored, promoting an inclusive approach to studying and preserving history.

Dunnavant presents a case for sustainable archaeology that respects both cultural heritage and the natural environment, aiming to mitigate the impacts of archaeological activities.

The talk concludes with a discussion on the importance of continued research and education to further explore the complex legacies of slavery in the Caribbean.

The International Council of Museums is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to museums, maintaining formal relations with UNESCO and having a consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

What does US/ICOMOS even mean? What exactly are we saying when we say “monuments of oppression”? What is re-contextualization? Knowing these answers are crucial for joining us on this experience. Think of these questions as a compass rose, providing the cardinal directions for the journey ahead. To help answer these questions, I want to introduce the Program Director for the Monuments Toolkit, Cequyna Moore!

International Day for Monuments discussion with Former Senator Myron Jackson about the bust of King Christian the IX being removed from the Emancipation Gardens public space as a result of public outcry.

The measure appropriates $20,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund to cover the cost of removing and replacing the sculpture. Additionally, the program promotes new discourses, alternative and nuanced approaches to established historical narratives, and promotes inclusive and diverse points of view.

Melvin Herbert Evans is the Virgin Islands' first elected governor. Evans graduated from Howard University with a B.S. in 1940 and from the Howard College of Medicine with an M.D. four years later, following graduation from high school on St. Thomas. He then worked in a variety of medical and public health positions for the United States and the Virgin Islands.

The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Vol. 22, The United States and Latin America (Jul., 1903), pp. 99-110 (12 pages)

ASF presented a virtual conversation between artists Jeanette Ehlers and La Vaughn Belle on “Race in the Colonial Past and Present,” moderated by Ursula Lindqvist, exploring the history of Denmark's colonial presence in the mid-17th century and how it has since affected representation.
In 2018, Virgin Islands artist La Vaughn Belle and Danish artist Jeannette Ehlers created the monumental public sculpture entitled I AM QUEEN MARY, the first collaborative sculpture to memorialize Denmark’s colonial impact in the Caribbean and those who fought against it. In this program, listen to the two artists discuss colonialism and how commemorative representations can impact the public discourse surrounding Danish colonial history. What do these representations mean for people of African descent living in the Nordic Countries? What do they mean to the Virgin Islands? And how can they intervene in the historic, current and future relationship between Denmark and the Virgin Islands?

Jeannette Ehlers is a Danish-Trinidadian multi disciplinary visual artist who aims to disrupt the dominating narratives and replace them with ones that acknowledge the aspects of history that have thus far been ignored. Ehlers engages themes of visibility, identity, and collective memory, such as her work I am Queen Mary, which represents one of four queens who led the 1878 labor revolt in Saint Croix, a former Danish colony.

Presenting her works at the sixth MAD Symposium, Ehlers discusses how it is possible to reframe history so that it is inclusive to all and provides examples how to do so through her works. Ehlers engages us, urging us to see how art, and other mediums like food, can provoke, lead and guide, people to better self-understanding.

Michael Miller is the co-founder of the London and New York Meditation Center. Miller regularly teaches all across the globe, introducing the ancient technique of Vedic Meditation in a way that is accessible and relevant to people living in today's world.

Interweaving practical techniques with vocal advice, Miller compels us to see how meditation can make us more available, responsive, and active in our lives. By tuning in to, and ridding ourselves of stress we can create better kitchen environments, he argues.

About MAD:
MAD is a non-profit transforming our food system by giving chefs and restaurateurs the skills, community, time, and space to create real and sustainable change in their restaurants, their communities, and across the world.

When students are studying or being taught, and they learn by engagement, they display a high level of attention, enthusiasm, optimism, and passion, which extends to the level of desire they have to learn and improve in their education. It stimulates them physically and mentally to be active learners. This motivates them more than their learning in lectures or textbooks. They become part of it.

Attached are some of the student engagement activities.

Classroom Screen
Common Sense
Quizziz
Kahoot
Quizlet

Reexamination of the Insular Cases

Decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the first decade of the 20th century, the Insular Cases are a series of decisions that established the status of the residents of territories which had recently been acquired by the United States during and immediately after the Spanish-American War. These cases remain the basis for the relationship between the territories and the rest of the United States.1 Many attorneys in the territories say the Insular Cases are the reason they went to law school. However, the Insular Cases are much less well known outside of the territories and are not included in some law school curricula.

This is a teacher-made PowerPoint slide that can be used by the Virgin Islands History Teachers for discussing the lesson: Transfer Day. The term "Transfer Day" refers to the day that the Danish West Indies officially became a part of the United States,  the US  Virgin Islands. On March 31, 1917, at 4:00 p.m., the United States paid Denmark $25,000,000 for the Danish West Indies. Disclaimer:  The original content, video, and image rights do not belong to me. In the references section, proper acknowledgment is provided.

The "Guardians of Our Heritage" challenge is a special initiative designed exclusively for teachers in the Virgin Islands, celebrating their role as stewards of the territory's rich cultural and historical legacy. This challenge invites teachers from both public and private schools across the districts of St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John to creatively decorate their classroom doors or a designated space within their schools. The decorations should reflect the theme "We Are All Stewards of Our Virgin Islands Culture and Heritage," emphasizing the importance of preserving and honoring the unique traditions, stories, and natural beauty of the Virgin Islands.

Friendship Day between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico is a public holiday observed in the United States Virgin Islands on the second Monday of October. The holiday was established in 1964 by Governor Paiewonsky to recognize Puerto Ricans who live in the Virgin Islands or have made significant contributions to the territory.
The date was chosen to coincide with Columbus Day, as it was seen as "an ideal day for recognizing Americans' solidarity with the Caribbean.

The day was established by Act 8257, which was signed into law by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. in January. It commemorates the adoption of the Virgin Islands flag on May 17, 1921.