Unveiling of the Statue of Sir James Douglas -First Governor of British Columbia

Unveiling of the Statue of Sir James Douglas - First Governor of British Columbia at his birthplace of Belmont, Mahaica ECD.
A little-known Guyanese who was born in the early nineteenth century made an indelible mark on the Province of British Columbia and Canada and is expected now to be given formal recognition.

Sir James Douglas, born in Belmont, Mahaica in 1803, to a mother who was a slave and a father who was a wealthy Scottish sugar merchant is expected to be given memorial recognition, according to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Through the auspices of President of the Canadian Cultural Association of British Columbia, Clyde Duncan, efforts are being made with support from government to honour Sir James in this regard.

Duncan is a Guyanese who departed for Canada with his parents in 1967. He was former chairman of the Advisory Committee on diversity issues in Vancouver, Canada. He is at present serving as a railway union activist.

The release said Duncan on Thursday met with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, Canadian High Commissioner Charles Court, representatives of the National Trust, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Belmont, Mahaica Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) among others to discuss a proposal made to celebrate the life and work of Sir James. The meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister.

According to GINA, Duncan in an invited comment said his talk with the Prime Minister and several other Guyanese about Sir James Douglas is intended to establish platforms for commemoration so that Guyanese in the education and other sectors can benefit.

Duncan, while explaining the biography of Sir James, said his commemoration is in keeping with the 150th anniversary of the Province of British Columbia and Canada. Sir James was the first governor of the Province.

Sir James, according to Duncan, departed then British Guiana with his mother, father and brother Alexander for Scotland where they received their education.

From there, the family migrated to Chester in England then to Montreal in Canada where Sir James worked his way up to Governor of British Columbia.

He added that among the key attributes of Sir James during that time in history, was his instrumentality in inviting American blacks up north where the gold rush was peaking.

The National Trust of Guyana which is involved in the preservation of Guyana’s history and culture has agreed to the proposal for commemorative activities for Sir James since it will strengthen cordial relations in areas of institutionalized cultural heritage, the release concluded.