N a Sonje - We Will Remember: An Interview (Part 2 of 7)

Part 2 of a 7 part series. Filmed, conceptualized, and executed by Claire Karoly (tenebrousllama).

For more information, visit http://nasonje.blogspot.com

"N a Sonje" is a simple phrase in Haitian Creole that translated into English means "we will remember". They are words that immediately bring to mind memories of what was worthy of community value from the past through alluding to lost, forgotten or simply untold histories of the present.

The "N a Sonje" Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in Haiti, which began informally in 2000 and gradually took form to being legally recognized in August 2002. It is based on the re- balancing of history, particularly focused on the tri-continental encounter. This vision has been entrusted to and developed by its three founding members, Harry Nicolas, Carla Bluntschli and Djalòki Dessables who are also associates and founders of DOA/BN, an historical, cultural, alternative educational tourism business in Haiti since 1992.

Objectives

Foundation "N a Sonje's intention is to offer a place that encourages understanding based on respectful and equal relationships between peoples of different cultures, particularly the trans-atlantic cultures: Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and their respective descendants around the world. In its continual search for new models of inter-cultural interactions that promote better comprehension, peace and justice, the Foundation emphasizes a more complete memory of historical events that created the current political, economic, interpersonal and international dynamics at the level of nations, communities, families and individuals involved in this history.

On January 1st 1804, after more than 300 years of colonial rule, slavery and genocide of Amerindian and African peoples, the slave population of St. Domingue brought an end to the trans-atlantic slave system and created a free nation. Even after succeeding in a revolution that shook the entire western world's economic and political system to the core, this challenge to established religious and scientifically based "truths" and justifications by the colonizing powers continues to this day.

Because of Haiti's unique position both geographically and historically, it is particularly appropriate for the location of the Memory Village. Therefore in honor of Haiti's 200-year anniversary of independence, the singular success in creating the beginning of the end to slavery on a tri-continental scale, Foundation "N a Sonje" will be offering to the worldwide public, the permanent participatory park, The Memory Village. This long-term vision will draw on the research and discovery of lost or hidden facts of history that will provide sustainability and evolution for generations to come even beyond the 200th anniversary celebration in 2004.

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[tenebrousllama]

welele is pretty awesome .. he and i spent a lot of time together as well. *hug*

[dpm]

Claire, you give me hope for the world. No, really... you do. ((Hugs))

[tenebrousllama]

i could have sworn i replied to this comment yesterday, but it's not showing up. thanks! ((hug))

[montypadre]

You are rich in your own existence. Very cool.

[tenebrousllama]

glad you enjoyed. stay tuned for the rest of the interview :) did you watch the first part too?

[montypadre]

yeah. it was kinda hard to hear some of it, but i liked it too. those two speak a lot of truth.

[tenebrousllama]

yeah, i wish i could make the audio better, but i wasn't working in the best conditions :(

[enyce10954]

I think the Haitian dressed in the African garment was making that girl blush...she kept on smiling and looking down.

[oneluvlive]

thanks for the interview! They came to Naropa University and I felt such a connection to their message. this is why i came to this school to teach..to heal. welele and i spent alot of time together and our connection was so pure and alive. I am going to Haiti to be a a part of this project. My family is from Mexico and although we have no money, we rich in our hearts. I hope to cross paths with you one day on this amazing journey of unification!

ONE LOVE!