What can we learn about the ways Caribbean communities adapt and bring in culturally vibrant ways of knowing and being with the ocean?’

Looking back at the Island and Oceans imaginaries workshop

People sitting in a conference room watching a panel discussion
Panel discussion during the Island and Oceans imaginaries workshop at Utrecht University

Last May 31st, PhD Candidates Cara FloresDanick Trouwloon, and Janneke den Dekker-Arlain organized a teach-in, panel, and zine-making workshop to explore this pressing question. Motivated by the need to bring more artistic and culturally relevant ways of knowing the ocean to climate change conversations, the “Island and Ocean Imaginaries Workshop: Exploring the Caribbean’s Everchanging relationship to the sea” invited Caribbean historian, artist, and activist Fiona Compton to give a keynote speech on indigenous connections to the ocean, and ways of knowing and learning of the ocean through folklore. Invited panelists, Dr. Daphina MisiedjanDaniella Britt, and Ichmarah Kock, further reflected on how artistic practice and lived experience are integral to healing relationships with the ocean.

  • Fiona Compton giving a teach-in at UU conference room
  • participants of the Island and Oceans imaginaries workshop creating zines
  • Fiona Compton talking during panel discussion (Island and Oceans imaginaries workshop at Utrecht University)

Filled with food, connection, and emotion, the event centered Caribbean islanders’ experience and focused on how we can come together in mutual learning to find healing through legacies of colonialism and climate catastrophes. We are so grateful to the ABCSSS islanders, Caribbean people, Islanders, researchers, students, and everyone else that showed up! We look forward to future iterations of this workshop focusing on different island geographies.

This event was made possible through the Sustainable Oceans Community in Utrecht University and Institute for Caribbean and Southeast Asian Studies (KITLV).