The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called yesterday’s return of Lucayan human remains, previously housed at a Michigan university for nearly 100 years, a historic moment connecting The Bahamas to its ancestral past.

He said the repatriation of the remains of the first inhabitants of The Bahamas closes a chapter that began nearly a century ago with their removal from Watlings Island, now known as San Salvador.

A cheerful ceremony was held yesterday at Rawson Square to celebrate the repatriation of the remains, which had been stored at Michigan State University’s storage facility since 1952.

“This event is a powerful reminder of the journey of our people,” Mr Davis said. “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.”  

“Yet, they were also the first to suffer the devastation brought by colonial encounters. 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.” 

Mr Davis said the repatriation honours the rich culture and resilience of The Bahamas.

Rosel Moxey, chairwoman of the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation (AMMC), said the corporation received three full skeletons and described the handover as sacred.

During the ceremony, Dr Yessica Yan, programme director at the University of Michigan, noted that returning the remains to The Bahamas was the respectful and ethical choice.

The repatriation was made possible through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a US law from the 1980s that mandates the return of Native American human remains to their rightful descendants.

Though the remains will not be placed on public display due to sensitivities surrounding human remains, the AMMC plans to conduct further scientific analysis. Studies such as isotope analysis, which reveals dietary information and possible ancient DNA extraction, will aim to deepen understanding of the Lucayan people.