Grange hails Charles Town Maroon colonel who dies suddenly

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Olivia Grange, has expressed shock at the sudden passing of Colonel Marcia Douglas, leader of the Charles Town Maroon community in Portland.

Colonel Douglas died on Wednesday while on the way to the Seville Heritage Expo that was being held at the Seville Heritage Park in St Ann in celebration of National Heritage Week.

In reacting to the development, Grange said, “As a guiding force within the maroon community, Colonel Douglas dedicated her life to safeguarding and promoting the rich heritage and traditions of the maroons, particularly the Charles Town Maroon community in Portland.

“Her visionary leadership at the Charles Town Maroon Council, and her stewardship of the annual Asafu Yard celebrations, enabled Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to connect with their roots and to take pride in their heritage.”

Grange reflected on their meaningful partnerships, recalling that, “In 2020, Colonel Douglas approached me for support for on-line classes for students in Charles Town who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Ministry of Education had facilitated on-line classes island-wide, the Charles Town community needed data plans and devices to allow students to access their training portals. 

“I thought Colonel Douglas’ initiative was very commendable, and my ministry sponsored the acquisition of computers, tablets and data plans.

“The programme was very effective, and we continued to sponsor it in 2021.

“This collaboration characterised her visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for the youth and her community in her capacity as the first and only serving female colonel of the maroons.

“Colonel Douglas continued to work closely with us and we enjoyed a good and productive relationship which resulted in other successful and impactful initiatives, including a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-funded training programme of the ministry.

“With Colonel Douglas’ strong leadership, a six-month programme was successfully executed, which facilitated the inter-generational transfer of cultural knowledge from maroon elders to their youth in wicker, beading and hand-sewn craft.

“The colonel’s legacy of mutual respect, advocacy and work towards achieving sustainable development through unity and cooperation will never be forgotten.  She died as she lived in celebration of her heritage, devotion to her community and to Jamaica.

“We will continue to support the vibrant annual celebrations and traditions of the people she so loved and served well,” said Grange.

“I spoke with her spouse, Rodney, and indicated to him that our prayers are with him, their daughter Jamoike, and the entire Charles Town Maroon community. As we honour her memory, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing initiatives which she started, to celebrate and preserve Jamaica’s rich maroon heritage,” she added.

Grange expressed condolences to Douglas' Harris’ family and to the Charles Town Maroon Community.

“May her soul rest in eternal peace,” she said.