GREAT BAY--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Melissa Gumbs has outlined a wide-ranging series of cultural and heritage projects being implemented under the Future Roots program, including the development of a national St. Maarten history curriculum, restoration and documentation of monuments, genealogical research, heritage scholarships, archival digitization and improvements to cultural facilities.
Gumbs provided the details while answering questions from Members of Parliament during deliberations on the draft 2027 national budget. She said Future Roots grew out of the Action Agenda Slavery Past and is supported by a US$5.3 million multi-year grant covering remembrance, education, archives, genealogy and heritage initiatives.
The program runs from October 2025 through September 2029 and is being implemented through a series of projects under the Department of Culture. The St. Maarten Development Fund is involved under a memorandum of understanding with Government, while Government retains responsibility for policy oversight, monitoring project implementation, financial reporting, performance reporting and accountability.
Gumbs explained that the Action Agenda consists of nine project areas that are now being implemented through Future Roots.
One of the central projects is the development of a national St. Maarten history curriculum. The intention is to create a locally grounded approach to teaching the country’s history, including slavery, colonialism and their lasting impact, so that these subjects are incorporated more systematically into education.
Another component focuses on monument remapping. This will involve creating and updating an inventory of historical monuments throughout St. Maarten and supporting that work with digital infrastructure to improve documentation and public accessibility.
Heritage restoration and beautification are also included. Historically significant sites and monuments are expected to be restored or improved, with appropriate educational signage used to help residents and visitors better understand their historical importance.
The Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center is another major part of the program. Future Roots funding is expected to support the upgrading of the facility so it can function as a more resilient and multifunctional space for cultural and community activities.
Gumbs indicated that approximately US$1.3 million from Future Roots will be combined with US$2 million in capital funding for renovation and expansion of the Cultural and Community Center. The planned work includes completing both phases of the project and developing a fully furnished second floor intended to make the facility more accessible and functional for its users.
Future Roots will also establish a heritage scholarship program aimed at developing more local expertise in culture and heritage. The initiative is expected to support education and training that can strengthen St. Maarten’s future capacity in areas such as heritage inspection, preservation and management.
Genealogical research is another major component. Research focusing on descendants and family histories is planned in collaboration with partners, with the wider goal of helping residents better understand and document family connections affected by St. Maarten’s historical experience.
The program also includes work involving museums and heritage institutions, as well as professional development and institutional capacity building. These efforts are intended to strengthen the organizations responsible for preserving, managing and sharing St. Maarten’s cultural heritage.
Books, audiovisual productions and archival material will also be produced and digitized. Gumbs said the initiative will make more historical information available to the public, including material covering St. Maarten’s colonial and post-colonial history.
Future Roots material is also expected to contribute to educational resources for schools and young people. Related work can include research, editing, design, printing, digital publication and distribution of material dealing with local history, heritage and cultural expression.
The Minister also addressed how Government intends to measure the results of the program. Expected indicators include progress on the national history curriculum, monument mapping and signage, the number of heritage scholarships awarded, completion of genealogical research, production of books and audiovisual material and the amount of historical material made publicly accessible.
Other expected results include improved documentation of St. Maarten’s heritage, an updated heritage inventory, a prioritized list of monuments considered at risk, formal heritage reports and measurable outputs from projects receiving funding.
Quarterly reporting will be used to track progress. The St. Maarten Development Fund is expected to report to Government under its memorandum of understanding, while the Ministry will maintain responsibility for monitoring project delivery and determining whether the initiatives are achieving their intended results.
Gumbs said the Ministry’s developing Management Information System is also expected to introduce more standardized performance indicators and outcome-based reporting across policy areas, including culture. The objective is to make assessment of results and value for money more systematic.
The Minister also emphasized that the success of cultural programs cannot be measured only through Government reports. Public participation remains important, she said, particularly as the projects are intended to help residents engage more directly with St. Maarten’s history, identity and cultural heritage.
