NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC—Prime Minister Philip Davis says the remains of the Lucayans, the first people of these islands, have closed a chapter that began nearly 100 years ago with their removal by George R. Fox, from Watlings Island, now known as San Salvador.
Prime Minister Davis said that these bones, resting in a Michigan University storage facility since 1952, “are now reunited with the land and legacy that first gave them life.
“Today, we gather here to witness a deeply reflective and profoundly meaningful moment for our national story. It’s a moment where part of our past, held far from our shores for nearly a century, has finally returned home,” he added.
Prime Minister Davis, speaking at the ceremony marking the return of the Lucayans’ remains, said the event is a powerful reminder of the journey of the Bahamian people.
The Lucayan people were the original residents of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands before the European colonization of the Americas.
The Lucayans were the first in the Americas to meet Christopher Columbus, marking a period that would tragically lead to their destruction and the erasure of an entire culture. They had been here for hundreds of years, thriving, celebrating, and burying their loved ones with reverence in the caves of these islands.
However, Prime Minister Davis noted that they were also the first to suffer the devastation brought by colonial encounters.
He said while DNA studies show no biological link between them and present-day Bahamians, “their spirit and influence echo through our culture, guiding us in ways that transcend mere lineage.
“Our history is one of resilience, endurance, and adaptation,” he said, adding, “From the Lucayans to the enslaved Africans who built Fort Charlotte, to the Bahamians who carved out livelihoods from the sea and the land, each generation has faced its struggles, yet emerged with strength and dignity.”
He said these stories of courage and survival are more than just history lessons; they are the foundation of who we are as a people.
“They remind us that our heritage is not just a collection of events but a testament to the resilience that runs through our blood.”
Prime Minister Davis said the journey to bring the Lucayan remains to the country has been long and filled with complex paths. It was made possible through the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, a law that mandates institutions return remains and sacred artifacts to their communities whenever possible.
He praised the collaboration between Michigan State University’s Arts and Collections Department and The Bahamas’ Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation, saying, “We mark a historic first for The Bahamas: the return of ancestral remains from an international institution.”
Davis said that the act is more than a transaction. It restores dignity, heals wounds, and recognizes a shared responsibility to honor cultural heritage.
“Our connection to the past doesn’t stop with the Lucayans. Tomorrow, we will bring history to life through a reenactment that honors the service and sacrifices of the West India Regiment — men of African descent who fought for the British Army in the Caribbean and Africa.
“In historic uniforms, our Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Rangers, and young recruits will perform military drills in Parliament and Rawson Squares, where we’ll be transported back to the 18th century. These reenactments serve as a vivid reminder of the bravery and resilience passed down through generations.”
He said that Fort Charlotte, completed in 1819, stands as a reminder of the past’s dual legacy. Built by enslaved and freed Africans under Lord Dunmore’s governorship, Fort Charlotte, along with forts Darcy and Stanley, defended the islands and symbolized the resilience and strength of those who shaped these shores.
Named for Queen Charlotte, it was built as both a fortress and a statement of the Bahamas’ place in the world, even though its builders had no freedom of their own.
“As we look back on the stories of the Lucayans, the West India Regiment, and the construction of Fort Charlotte, we are reminded of the importance of reclaiming our history, remembering those who came before us, and celebrating their impact on who we are today.
“The resilience and legacy of our ancestors shape our present and inspire us toward a future where we uphold our heritage with pride. Today, we not only witness the return of our ancestors’ remains, but we honor their enduring presence and influence.
“They are part of the spirit that defines us, a spirit that endures and guides our nation forward. Let us embrace this moment with reverence, reflection, and a renewed commitment to preserving our heritage for generations to come,” Davis said, adding, “We, Bahamians, carry in our blood the courage of the Lucayans, the strength of the West India Regiment, and the unbreakable spirit of those who laid the stones of our forts.”