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Nutmeg Nation with Carlene
Nutmeg Nation is a show for anyone wanting to learn more about Grenada. It is a show that educates Grenadians on the issues they are facing everyday. Issues that affect them and the rest of the world. Life, relationships, family, work and all the relationships we have with people who are in our direct circle. What are people talking about in Grenada? What is the culture like? This is one of the main things we discuss on the show, and I hope you will join us on this new adventure with Nutmeg Nation.
Nutmeg Nation with Carlene
Maria Myers' Journey from Toronto to Grenada
Maria Myers, the remarkable president of the Spice Isle Association, takes us on an inspiring journey from her roots in Venezuela, Trinidad, and Grenada to her impactful role in the Grenadian community of Toronto. Despite her career as an electronics engineer technician, Maria's passion for cultural connection and community work shines as she shares her experiences in transforming the Grenada Day Festival into a major celebration. Her story, filled with resilience and dedication, reveals the power of embracing one's heritage and making a difference far from home.
We dive deep into the complex relationship between community dynamics and law enforcement, shedding light on the historical challenges faced by neighborhoods like Jane and Finch. Through personal stories, we explore the racial tensions and shifts in police interactions, drawing intriguing comparisons between Canadian and U.S. experiences. Nostalgic memories of Maria's involvement with community radio at CHRY offer a unique perspective on the influential role of media in shaping views and fostering community spirit amid adversity.
The episode concludes with a vibrant exploration of Grenadian culture and the significance of events like Grenada Day and the Oil Down Festival. Maria's reflections on the vibrant culture of Grenada and the importance of financial literacy for future generations offer a hopeful vision for the community. Highlighting the upcoming feedback meeting on November 9th, we invite listeners to engage and support the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate Grenadian heritage. The episode is a celebration of culture, community, and the indomitable spirit of people like Maria, who work tirelessly to bring communities together.
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hi, I'm carlene, and this is not magnation. I have with me on the show maria myers and I'm so excited. Maria is our first guest this fall and we've been off the air for a little bit, but I'm really excited because I met you in in september, right, yeah yeah yeah, the oil down festival and you are like everyone wants to talk to you.
Speaker 1:so I was lucky, I got like a little bit of time and here we are and we're going to talk about like who you are, basically what you've done for the Grenada Day cultural committee, and for those who don't know who you are, just just give us a little synopsis, like what do you do and who is Maria?
Speaker 2:Okay, so I am the president of two Grenadian-based organizations right here in Toronto Spice Isle Association and the Grenada Day Culture Association. Now, the first one that I was involved in was Spice Isle Association, in which the members of that organization started the Grenada Day Festival with presidents of the various organizations. So the presidents were Kenroy Gordon of the GBSS, Kay Baptiste of the Caracol Association, Laura Henry of the Grenada Association and myself, the Spice Owl Association Association, and myself, the Spice Out Association, and together we thought of To Do A Day which we now call the Grenada Day Festival.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so Grenada Day Festival. I've been once before, years ago. It's been a long time coming that you've been doing this event. And for those that have not been to Grenada Day, how has it changed over the years? I mean 14 years, wow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's 17 years minus the two years of COVID Right. Yeah. It's amazing, carlene. It's something that grew from 500 people to 5,000 people and over 5,000 people actually, what am I saying? And it's a festival that, as the police have described, it's one of the best Caribbean festivals. That's gearing towards the culture and heritage of Grenada, but brings so many different islands together, so many different cultures together, to learn about our petite Grenada, caracou and petite Martinique islands, right.
Speaker 1:So, speaking of Grenada, Caracou and Petit Martinique Island, Right. So, speaking of Grenada Day, because you are the president and you've obviously earned your stripes, where are you from in Grenada? I think I saw I did a little digging. Is it St David's that's the parish you're from or no, St George's, our family's from Bolio Boca.
Speaker 2:But I'll tell you a little secret I was actually born in Venezuela. Oh wow, my mother left Grenada to go and work and then from Venezuela I came to Trinidad and then Grenada, went to school in Grenada and then from Grenada came to Canada, where I learned English here in Canada because, of course, spanish was my first language.
Speaker 1:Wow. So how long did you live in Grenada for? Like you lived in. Obviously, venezuela is where your roots tie, so you're a bit of both.
Speaker 2:but Like Venezuela, trinidadian and Grenadian. So I came here when I was about 10 years old and my mother from the old old school grilled English in me and she herself knew Spanish, but she grilled the English in me so for she was scared, like I'm in a new country. Now you got to learn English and you know she was scared that I wasn't going to pick up the language. But you know, back then they don't realize the importance of having multiple languages to socialize.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know what? You're right. I stopped taking French in grade 10. And I think if I wasn't such a kid that was like I don't like my French teacher because I have the same French teacher I would have probably stayed on because you're right, like knowing another language is so important. But from one Grenadian to another, we all speak English and then you know broken English is obviously the dialect or whatever you want to call it. But since you left Grenada when you were young, what made you decide to become a part of this association? How did you? How did you get to where you are now?
Speaker 2:I worked in a community, not as a Grenadian, just as community worker. Besides my job, my full-time job, had nothing to do with the community. The two titles are vastly different. So my field, my career, was electronics engineer technician at Bell Canada, and I loved also working with youth, children and our community to build a better community. So everywhere I was, whether it's my children's school, I was part of the PTA, so it's a community. I see kids that are, you know, less fortunate, and not that I was rich at all because I wasn't, I was just wanted to always help. So I have four biological kids, seven adopted kids, and they call me mom to this day and their children call me grandma.
Speaker 2:So from there I worked with the Toronto police and I didn't like the police at first because, coming from an area of Jane and Finch too, I seen a lot of things that the police shouldn't have done and I had no trust in the police. But it has since then been reformed. So I had a fabulous mentor it was at that time he was. He went up to deputy chief of police, michael Federico, and he actually changed my hand on how I look at police and he worked with us 200%. So while in the community working with the police and doing a lot of things. And it was my cousin that I said you know what you need to? You're doing like such a great job in the community. You need to go to your, your roots, go back to your roots and upbuild them, because I don't see that community being uplifted or upbuilt. So I said, oh, okay, okay, that's how. I was going to Trinidad every year for carnival and I said I don't know, I don't know. So he brought me to one meeting and he says you know, this is the girl that we can get, we can get a group going and build up Grenada and that's Spice Owl Association.
Speaker 2:We started with having a representation in Carabana where we can have a Grenadian section. So we started working with families, grenadian families, to be. We started working with families, grenadian families, to be able to put their kids and themselves into a section. We work with Arnold Hughes, worked with a couple of bands, but mainly it was Arnold Hughes. And then we branched off to doing community events Family Day, sports Day, children's Christmas Party, which we still do up to this day, and we work with CHUM and the firefighters and make sure to have a party for these kids. And when we saw that the parties, the company parties, was phasing out, we said no, these kids have to have a Christmas party to go to. And that's when we implemented that Christmas party and to this day we do that.
Speaker 2:And that's how I got involved in the Grenadian community and at first it was a challenge because I didn't know how to like. I knew how to upbuild because I was working in the community, so it just came natural. But there was the feedback that was coming back and stuff. I had to like, stand back and say what like. Every culture, I think, has a different mentality and before I stood back I kind of realized and learned my own people over again my culture, the heritage of what was liked, what was disliked, what was how they are, how to work with them. So and now it's like, yeah, yeah, um.
Speaker 1:So like you've said a lot of great things, like like you know in terms of our culture, like I got to say that you know what. It's true, you're not always going to get positive reinforcements, like even when I started this podcast I started it in 2020 and I had a few people say some stuff to me too, like why you like Grenada has no podcast. Like why are you even going to bother? Like you know, and like when you're, you're always going to get people that are going to be difficult in everything that you do. That's outside of the norm, or like you're trying to make a difference. But the one thing you said, going back to your mentor, michael Federico, what did he do that made you change your mind on working with the Toronto police?
Speaker 2:That's a very good question, carly. Nobody has ever asked that. I've always told them who's the one that turned me around, but nobody asked. What did he do? What did he say? What made a difference from hating police to working with them?
Speaker 2:I was on the radio that time, myself and DJ Shears and I was his co-host. Yes, dj Shears is a well-known DJ from the past, very good guy, and he asked me to come on board as his co-host and so it was another plan to put Grenada on the map and be recognized, and I was all in for it. I was like, okay, no problem. And that's when I was coming into the Grenada community and I came in with such a force that everybody's heads turned like who's, who's this girl? Who's where does she come from? And so people were questioning, or you know, some wanted me like because I was very boisterous and and out there and put Grenada out there. And he was one of them. And we had a radio show and Michael Federico I worked with 12 Division at that time and we said there was another girl named Jennifer Huntley. She was on another radio station, same station but different program and we wanted to do a police. Black people don't trust police. They don't like police. And, yes, get the police on.
Speaker 2:Get the police on and he was a superintendent of 12 Division. So I like try to set him up. I must say I try to set him up in different ways, in terms of he's going to fail, he's not going to, he's going to collapse, he's not going to want to work with us. We're Black people who all of them say, start off saying yeah, yeah, yeah, but then they end up they don't want to work with us and stuff. So we set him up. We set him up and we brought him to a radio station. He came in CHRY.
Speaker 1:He came in. Oh my gosh, I was just about to ask you about CHRY.
Speaker 2:Yes, it was CHRY, it was, oh God, what was our show called? Spice, spice, something in the morning, right, and he came on and me and Jennifer was just waiting for him. We did all. We said all the things that oh, you're going to ask him this, we're going to ask him that he's going to get burned. And we told him, I warned him before. I said, yeah, you know. So I put him up to that test and I assumed he was going to fail the test. Honestly, I feel I assume that he's going to fail the test because we're going to put him on.
Speaker 2:So many people say, hey, look out for just say the show is on Thursday, look out, for Thursday. We're going to have Superintendent Mike Federico from 12 Division, which is a division that's very on a hot seat because it's on the Black Creek and the Thuey Guys. Get your questions ready, get anything you want ready, anything you want to ask this man, ask him. Okay, we want answers, you guys want answers, you know, and everybody was calling in and saying yeah, we're going to call in, we can't wait for that show to come on, we're going to ask him this, ask him that. So, and then they were asking us and we're like no, no, no, don't ask us, wait until he comes on the show, you know. And then the day when he came on the show Carlene, I was I left a changed person. I came on the show and I was ready because I was like, yeah, we're setting this guy up.
Speaker 1:He had no clue that we're setting him up.
Speaker 2:I just said you got to be strong, you have to have a strong back because these people are going to come after you forcefully and they're going to ask you all these questions. And then, when Jennifer met him, jennifer said hi, you know, nice to meet you. Listen, I got to tell you, you got to have your straw. And she said the same thing. I said to him he's like no problem, ladies, no problem, I'm ready. I'm ready, because if they tell you that they hate the police and their guys are pigs and all that kind of stuff, just be prepared for all that and everything that they were calling us and telling us what they're going to tell him. So we had some questions prepared for him. So I, you know, we said are you ready? And he goes yeah. So we said hi, guys, the time is here.
Speaker 2:Superintendent Michael Federico is here from 12th division. We started off, you know, introducing him. He introduced himself and then we started off with asking him the questions. So he said okay, and then he answered it Like he answered it dead on. And then we asked him, jennifer asked him between Jennifer and myself. We both asked him questions and and then, after I said to him, I said, okay, it's time to open up the lines, right? Yeah, let's open up the lines and let's have anybody else. And then we said to him are you ready? And he's like yes. And he's like, yes, you know, don't worry about it, don't worry about it, you guys are, you know, worried. So, anyway, we were worried because we knew what they said to us. They're going to ask him this when men are like police, when I like police, you know all kinds of stuff.
Speaker 2:We opened the lines and we look at the lines, the lines went dead, Like nobody called in. So we're like, hey guys, the line is open now you guys can call in Carlene. Nobody called in. So I said, OK, Wow, the audience seemed to be a little shy out there. So we're going to just kind of Jennifer, what should we do? He goes well, let's ask some of the questions that they call us to ask. Let's ask him. So then maybe they would unwind and not be so shy. I mean, they were calling in that week leading up to it. It was like every second they were calling in asking this. I said, well, don't ask us, Don't worry, Wait to the show. There were so many people calling in and then we asked him the questions. He answered it dead on and then I turned around and I was started to be harsh and Jennifer started to be harsh. I said, OK, you know what, Really Like, I've seen things in 31 Division that was not supposed to be and that's why I myself did not like the police, because they did things and put things on people just to charge them.
Speaker 2:But nothing like that went. I was, we were taken into paddy wagons for no reason. Why? Just to be in a basement party. You know why. Why you guys act like that. Why is it? And he's? And he was very apologetic to the police and said I'm very sorry if you had to encounter something like that. And he was very apologetic to the police and said I'm very sorry if you had to encounter something like that. That's not acceptable. I mean, you know what? I know that there is officers out there that's not good. I know that and I wish you guys would tell me which one pinpoint which one. If they're in 12th Division, you let me know. But I also know there's officers out there that's extremely good and I don't want to have these bad officers rooting for the good officers. Like he was just dead on and I'm looking at him like so like what, what kind of stuff?
Speaker 1:you know, like police always get like a bad rap and like you see it in the news, they're like we can go from back in the day. But like 12th division, like when you say that is it known for. Like so-called history with this, like what is like the like. What's one thing that you guys didn't like, or like the community, cause you know Jane and Finch, like we all know, jane and Finch gets a bad rap, like whenever I'm in that area back and like I'd be there, I'd be worried that something might happen, cause you keep hearing stories like you know, yeah, 12 division.
Speaker 2:It is similar to Jane and Finch. It was a lot of racism at that point on 31 division a lot of harassment, a lot of carding, a lot of like hey, you, what's your, where are you from? What's your name like, are you Sandra, are you so? And so there was a lot of things like I remember I was in a share tomorrow when it was first built and they were asking, they were calling out a name and I didn't know it was me. But then when I saw everybody looking at me, I'm like what's everybody looking at me for? And then when I realized I turned around and these officers was asking hey, and I turn around, I go, yes, is your name Sandra, get over here. And I go, my name is not Sandra, don't tell me to get over here.
Speaker 2:And I just scooted out of the mall because fear. And they said yo, get over here. And I go, I'm not getting over here, my name is not Sandra, don't you dare embarrass me like that again. And I just ran out of the mall because I was figured that they were going to grab me for something, because that's how they were back then. If you didn't, they didn't like you or you didn't adhere to them. It wasn't about protecting or or serving the community at all. It wasn't like that, you know. So it was things like that that they could have done, but they don't do now. They probably I say probably. There is still racism and discrimination on the force, like in any workplace, but it's handled a little differently because they cannot be upfront like how they used to be oh yeah, like, like, I think.
Speaker 1:I think the one thing that we can say here is that they say in the us it's in your face, you see it, whereas here it's more underneath the surface, like, like, they're not blatantly going to be racist to your face, they'll do it discreetly or in a way where you don't see it like face value, right, is that what you're trying to say?
Speaker 1:Like I forgot the term they use for that, but you said so many things all at once that were just like oh my gosh, chry, maria, I interned there back then and I used to work with Millie Gordon. Oh, millie Gordon, yes, and then I, I, I actually, when I volunteered at CHRY, that's how I knew I wanted to get into radio because of the community and everything, and like it's like, if you ever get a chance, like go on YouTube and watch some of the old footage, I swear I think there was a day they closed down the radio station and that was like the end, like it was crazy. But yeah, I used to co-host with this guy, fred Tay. He had this show called African Sunsplash and that was like my time at one time.
Speaker 2:Yes, I remember, I remember Fred, Fred sorry. Yes, I remember, I remember Fred sorry, and there was Experience Creole with Levi and Thing. There was. Wow, small world. You know all of us was. You know we had it together. Serby's still there, serby, and we have so many Like, yeah, it was all of us together as a team and yeah, so everybody knew where to go, where not to go.
Speaker 1:What a history, right? Oh, my goodness, From like where you're going, so like growing up in that area. So you grew up in Jane and Finch like. What school did you go to Like and and how do you feel that impacted where you are now?
Speaker 2:Right. So I lived from Falstaff to Chalk Farm and went up to where. I was always there with my best friends in Shoreham and Driftwood.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, wow yeah.
Speaker 2:I went to Northview Secondary School, graduated then I got pregnant but and then I went went took my grade 13.
Speaker 1:at that time it was grade 13 at CW Jeffries yeah and um, so how old is your little one now? My the first born, yeah, 40. Oh, wow, yes, your first born is the same age as me. That's crazy. Um, so I'm like, is she part, did she? Was she like part of the last grade 13? Cause you say grade 13 and I was the last class, so I graduated double cohort and it was like that was the end of OAC grade 13.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was yeah, she was the last.
Speaker 1:Oh my goodness, yeah, yeah, like, yeah, wow, that's so crazy. You know now that I'm 40, I'm it's like, yeah, wow, that's so crazy. Now, you know, now that I'm 40, I'm it's like, wow, I can't believe it. Like my, when you look at the time and everything that's happened, it's like my baby sister is 25 and, um, I'm the oldest out of there's five girls, and so listening to you talk about like your history, like your whole history, is like kind of like in a way, for me too, because I grew up in like bad areas too, like Lansdowne and Bloor and like DuPont and Osler, like that's where my parents house is, and like when you, when you're a kid, you don't really understand why it's considered a bad area until you, like, you're older and you're like, wow, this area is rough like I walked through these areas, like you know like like even you on Shoreham, there, like people were like Shoreham, that's a bad area, late at night don't walk through there, like you know.
Speaker 1:So that was like our best years. That was our best years you know, yeah, but getting back to what was the name of the radio show that you were co-hosting on and like what radio station was that CHOI?
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it was called. You know, I can't remember, it was Spice.
Speaker 1:OK, so that was that show and that wasn't with DJ Shores, dj Shears.
Speaker 2:DJ Shears, I did right. He was the host of the show and I was the co-host.
Speaker 1:Okay, Okay, Okay, yeah. So I mean he's the one that approached you and like so how long were you involved with CHRY? Was that part of like the community for you too?
Speaker 2:And he wanted someone to uplift the show, as he was the one playing the music and you know, getting some interviews going and stuff and just letting people know about Grenada, right, so it was called I think it was called Spice in the Morning or something like that, but I was my co-host, name was Spicy, okay, so after the Spice Island.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, spice Girl, you know Spice. We're from the island of Spice and everything you know, that's right. That's right. So do you know when you decided, like you know, I want to help like Grenadians and Grenadians in the community? Like when, when did that transpire? Like I mean, obviously you said you it was Michael Federico, and like working with the Toronto police, but something must have inspired you to get to where you are now. Like when did when did that happen?
Speaker 2:like because you told me, like the building, yeah yeah, when I went to Grenada on vacay and I realized there's so many things that you can take from Grenada and bring it here, I realized there was a many things that you can take from Grenada and bring it here. I realized there was a lot of undocumented people from Grenada here and they couldn't kind of really come out, but they would like to get together with their people and feel good. So my friends that did Jamaica Day, I said, well, I want to do Grenada Day and I asked them a couple of pointers on what to do and I saw the need by talking to a lot of Grenadians, the need to have Grenadians be brought together. As a matter of fact, we had a community meeting and in our Spice Owl called the Grenadians and said hey, we just want to know what can we do further for you? How could we make you feel good here, like, or what impact would you want? What activity would you want? What activity would you want? What anything? One guy, his name is Kyron Lewis. He said, well, go back to the other Grenadian organizations because he does not feel well represented. He said go back to the other organizations, the active ones, and see what you guys can come up with to make me feel, make us the Grenadians feel, well represented. So when I went to the other groups, they really didn't know. They just said, sure, they're all in to do something, but they didn't know what it was.
Speaker 2:And at that time my friends was doing Jamaica Day and I said, well, what about Grenada Day? And they said, sure. And I said, well, go back to your members, the presidents, go back to your members and bring it to your membership body and let's do it. And I didn't hear from them. So what I did? I just took an active role and called them and then called a public meeting and that time it was at Spice House Sports Bar on Eglinton and Dufferin, and the leaders, the president, didn't have had no clue what I was doing. And I just called them together, called Grenadians, put the word out there. No clue what I was doing? And I just called them together, called Grenadians, put the word out there. Here, come to Spice House Sports Bar. You know, let's have a big meeting, a community meeting.
Speaker 2:A lot of people came and I just announced we're going to have Grenada Day and all the presidents was looking at me like what? I mean, we talked about it but we didn't plan it and I just put it out there and it's like yeah, when? And then they looked at me yeah, maria, when. So I said July and one of the six months to put this thing together. You think it's going to be put together in six months. I said we can do it.
Speaker 2:But that time I already had the experience of working in a community. So I was going to bring all my sources the Toronto police, the Frank from JJP Community Center, I was bringing all my leaders that I was already working with to come and put this on, put it together, and I knew I could do it. And when I saw like the 500 people, I thought that was a lot. I didn't. My God, there's so much Canadians here. And I basically almost cried on the stage saying oh, my God, look what we've done for them. They came together.
Speaker 2:A lot of them, I know, was not documented and was experiencing a lot of different things in a different workplace at that time different agencies that they were working with that sent them to different jobs, non-payments of things, and they couldn't be, they couldn't report it because they're not documented. Like I learned, I go. I said like what do you mean? You don't have your papers, like I learned what it is, because, of course, when I'm coming here at 10 years old I don't know nothing about my papers. I know my mother sponsored me but I don't know anything about papers. But I learned in the community what it was to be here without papers, what they were going through. So I said, wow, they all came together. So every year I just continued doing it and it just got bigger and bigger each year.
Speaker 3:You're listening to Nutmeg Nation. Listen, learn and be a part of Grenada.
Speaker 1:Hi, I'm Carlene and this is Nutmeg Nation. I have with me on Zoom the wonderful and talented Maria Myers. She is. I didn't even know this. We were talking about you and your like, where you are now in life and you don't even have to work anymore, Right.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah, and I would encourage everybody out there when you're working especially in working with a large company and stuff. Be prepared. Be prepared for retirement. Get prepared, because that's what I did. I got prepared and you know I was one of the lucky ones retired early and you did, oh wow yeah, wow, freedom 55.
Speaker 1:I mean, that is planning ahead and that's something that we all have to work on. I think us as a race like we're not on financial, like just planning, you know, putting money aside for retirement. That's one thing that I think. Financial literacy, you know, like learning those things, I think like we all have to, a lot of us have to teach ourselves, Cause I don't remember my mom being like, oh, you should put save money for, like, retirement and all these things, but yeah they don't.
Speaker 1:But, yeah, that's amazing. So before we stopped, you were talking about, just you know, the beginning of Grenada Day and how it started with 500 people, and how it just it brought you, you know, to tears to see that you know this many people came to the event. And you know, even before you talk about that, I remember, like this is crazy, my sister and I we went, we used to go to Carabana all the time and I remember that year we were so excited because Bernada had a section and you're talking about that section and it was a, it was was a. It wasn't a good ending to that story because, I mean, we went, we were like so you know, lively and like Grenada's performing, and then all of a sudden you hear the gunshots and yeah, yeah, I mean, my sister, we like ran.
Speaker 1:I think we were with a friend, a family friend, running, cause everyone's running all over and that's the thing that ruins it for Carabana. You know, like it it was years ago, like, and my mom was like you guys aren't going to Carabana anymore, like you know she was just worried or paranoid, but it was. It was one of those events that was like a happy time but also a scary time when you're in the midst of all that. Right, so yeah. But on a happier note, renata Day is your baby, I guess. Yeah, yeah, so it is.
Speaker 2:And you know what? I'll give you the same advice as I took myself. And I had to step back myself. And there's, there's a little group. I call it small group, but they're huge, they have big mouths and those are the ones that would discourage you from doing whatever you're doing. Don't let the big mouths discourage you because they're a small group. The larger group appreciates what you're doing and they love it and they spread the word on what you're doing.
Speaker 2:So where I was discouraged from doing Grenada Day, oh, somebody tried and it's not going to work. It's, you know. You know who are you to do it. It's not going to work. And when I did, I listened to that. I said what? Well, no, I'm not them. I didn't even know what they did, I don't even know how they did it, but I'm going to do me. I'm going to do it my way. And here we are 17 years later. You know, because I have to say 17 years? Because even during COVID we did, I used my house to do drop by brunch, like we had brunch, and we had the vendors set up the tents in my, in my yard. People just come, pick up their, their food and go. And people appreciated that because COVID just locked everything down and nothing was available, and we still made things available for our people.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Wow, yeah, you know what I wish I had come to? You know the event it was, so it sound like like there was a lot of people there and I'm like, oh, I missed that. I wasn't following too much social media. I try to take a break and it seemed like this is probably this year was probably maybe your biggest.
Speaker 2:It was one of the best years. Yeah, it was one of the best years ever.
Speaker 2:Yes, and the prime minister was supposed to come but due to Hurricane Beryl, he had like commitments, he had cancellations and his whole schedule got berserk. So we totally understood why he couldn't come and break his commitment to come because he had to look after, you know, our sister island Karakul was basically destroyed. Destruction hit it so he had to make sure that, you know, everything was good and get on board to start rebuilding our sister island Karakul. So we totally understood. The minister came down from sports and culture minister, Adrian Thomas. He was excited, he loved what he saw. It was a good look. So he can go back and make his reports. And when I'm in Grenada I have my meetings. I seek sponsors from Grenada to our festival.
Speaker 1:And everything is good. Everything is good, Everything is crisp. You know in terms of, like, how things have transpired you were talking about, you know, not letting anybody discourage you or stop you from what you've decided to do. I mean the fact that you had events during COVID in your home. That goes to show, like, how much of a community base you have. Now, what is the message you would like to share with Grenadians about, and listeners whoever's listening right now? What would you like to share about Grenada and Grenada Day and like what your, what your impact is?
Speaker 2:pretty much you know what's your message the message I would like to share with everybody Grenadians which is, the converted and non-Grenadians, friends or family of which is a non-converted um is that Grenada is a beautiful island. The people are very resilient. We've gone through things of invasion with Morris Bishop to major hurricanes Hurricane Janet, hurricane Ivan and now recently Hurricane Beryl. We're resilient, we have strong sense of spirituality and togetherness In every island and every set of people. There's always the bad apples, you can say, but overall, grenada and Grenada is no exception, you know. But the island of Grenada, there's always the bad apples, you can say, but overall, grenada and Grenada is no exception, you know, but the island of Grenada, it's one of the most expensive islands to go to, but the crime rate is very, very low and they have, under a new leadership right now which is doing fabulous jobs to uplift and to get the emphasis of education further in our people so they can further advance themselves, which is very good, not keeping them in a rut, advancing themselves and sending that message to them to work to get what they want, and going back to Morris Bishop where grow what you eat, eat what you grow.
Speaker 2:And so I would say that Grenada Day offers a time for everybody to get together. You know, at least, if you don't go out throughout the year, you go out on Grenada Day and the Oil Down Fest and see the various people and connect once again. And that connection is so important, especially. It just seems like so many people these days are getting sick or passing or, you know, it becomes more of a mental health or mental letdown and the uncertainty of people's lives all around us. And what do we hold on to? So I would say let's hold on to each other and let's keep building up each other and showing our children the future of togetherness and strength in which we have inside of us.
Speaker 1:Wow, that was beautiful. Yeah, that's amazing. It's so true in so many ways. They always emphasize a lot of people always say, oh, grenada is a small island, but it's a community.
Speaker 1:I haven't been back in a long time but I have to say every time I go back it's the friendliness of the people and they're so humble, I think even people who have done so much or they've become celebrity, like you know. I have to say like one of the most amazing moments I've had with this show is when I finally got a hold of Karani James and he was on the show and for me that was like like a pivotal moment. But he's so humble, like you would, you would never think, but like, even though he's gotten to that place where he wanted to be, like you know, and made history or made that impact, it didn't get to his head. And I think the same thing goes for you. I don't know how many people you know now you obviously know a lot of Grenadians, right? Do you feel like you've left your mark, like in the community, with the association?
Speaker 2:and oh, definitely, yeah definitely I've left, I leave, I continue to leave my mark in the community. People you know know that I'm retired but I'm still doing what I'm doing and I tried to even step aside to say, okay, I'll train somebody else, but nobody says. They say they don't want my work.
Speaker 1:Right, right, it's a lot of work, Like you, to plan Grenada Day, like you said. You have a team Like I remember you saying that in your interview it takes a team, Like it's not just you. You have a team of people who help make this event happen and it's so many moving parts right, and so that's the glorious thing about it.
Speaker 1:And you know, I want to say as someone I haven't been going to Grenada Day every year, but thank you for doing that and I'm glad I came to Oil Down Festival, Otherwise I wouldn't have met you and it's just, it's a highlight, Like I think people are running on island time for sure with oil down festival, Cause I was like where's everybody? You know, what I mean Right. But there's one thing I want to ask how can people help with the Grenada Day Cultural Association? How can they help you?
Speaker 2:There's a very important meeting and we're the only national that has, after our, our annual event. We do have this. No other national has that Not the Jamaicans, not the St Vincent's, not the St Lucian's, even though they have their day. We have, on November the 9th, a feedback this year is we also incorporated our voting, because all of our, our team, we, we serve for two years and then we just get re-voted back in, or I've seen it in the past where our votes counts, where people would vote others who stand up and say no. I'd like to be in this position. So, november the 9th, at Pithui and Brookhaven, it's an Orthodox church we provide free food, refreshments and we give you the allowance to let us know your feedback, bad or good. We're here. We're here to listen to it. I get a lot of ideas from these meetings because they're going to come and they're going to come and come at us strong. We're here to listen.
Speaker 2:I always tell my team don't take anything offensive. Listen to them because they're passionate of what they want implemented. Sometimes they may not say it the right way, but if you read between the lines, it's something that maybe we need to do. So that's what I tell my team and on November 9th, anybody want to get involved and I encourage you, carlene, to come, and if you want, you know, come and see what it is. You know, the thing is is that our Grenadian community don't come. Yeah, yeah, they don't come and they'll talk to you on the street. Maria, you should do this, maria, you should do this, maria, you should do that.
Speaker 2:But those that do come and are very boisterous on giving us suggestions of what to do and stuff like that, they, you know, they do come. We appreciate it, but we still, at the same time, we provide food. I'll send you that flyer so you can send it around. Okay, yeah, for sure, yeah, yeah, and it's something that's very important and I keep saying it every year. For the last how many years? We're the only ones that reaches out to our people, and it doesn't matter if 10 people come, 15 people come, we still have it every year. And I remember one of my members saying why do we have this? Nobody comes. It doesn't make no sense. No, but you know what? Those that do come. It's appreciated. Thank you for listening to nutmeg nation with carlene humphrey.
