The Souls, The Prideful, The Nevisians

The people of Nevis, known as Nevisians, are warm, friendly, and proud of their island's rich cultural heritage. Nevisians are predominantly of African descent, with a smaller percentage of European, Indian, and Indigenous Carib ancestry, reflecting the island's diverse history.

Nevisians are known for their hospitality and strong sense of community. Family ties are important, and there is a deep respect for elders and traditional values. Nevisian culture places a strong emphasis on music, dance, and storytelling, which are integral parts of daily life and social gatherings.

The people of Nevis are also known for their resilience and resourcefulness, having overcome challenges such as natural disasters and economic hardships. Despite these challenges, Nevisians take pride in their island's beauty and tranquility, often referring to it as "the Queen of the Caribees."

Throughout history, Nevis has been home to individuals who have left a lasting impact on culture, politics, music, and various other fields. These Nevisians, through their contributions and achievements, have not only shaped the identity of the island but have also left a significant mark on the broader world. Their stories are a testament to the rich and diverse heritage of Nevis, reflecting the resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of its people.

The Right Honourable Dr. Simeon Daniel (22 Aug 1934 – 27 May 2012):

A National Hero of St. Kitts and Nevis; The First Premier of Nevis in 1983 to 1992; President and one of the founding members of Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) in 1970; Appointed leader of the opposition in the then St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla House of Assembly in 1975;

In 1966 he became Barrister of Law and was called to the Bar in England; He returned to Nevis in 1966 and served as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and was admitted to the Local Bar that same year. The following year he was appointed Crown Council and later Registrar of the Supreme Court and Additional Magistrate in the State.

Led the Nevis delegation to London to negotiate the Independence constitution for St. Kitts and Nevis in 1982; Established the Bank of Nevis Ltd. in 1985; Founded Daniel, Brantley & Associates with The Honourable Mark Brantley in 1996.

The Honourable Vance Winkworth Amory

(22 May 1949 – 2 April 2022):

The Second Premier of Nevis in 1992 to 2006 and from 2013 to 2017; First Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance for the Nevis Island Administration in 1983; Co-founding Member of Concern Citizen Movement (CCM) and first elected member of opposition in 1987;

He became the youngest headmaster of Charlestown Secondary School at 28 years. Between 1981 and 1983 Amory was manager of the St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla National Bank. He was also instrumental in overseeing the purchase of the land on which National Bank sits today;

Founding president of the Nevis Football Association; Planned for Nevis to be seceded from St. Kitts in 1996 but was overruled by two thirds majority in the 1998 referendum; Secured aid for development for the national airport in Newcastle which bear his name.

The Honourable Arthur Evelyn (25 Jun 25 1928 to 13 Aug 2021):

First Chairman of the Nevis Local Council in 1967; First Minister of Agriculture, Lands Housing, Labour and Tourism in the newly established Nevis Island Assembly in 1983;

Owned and operated Evelyn Drugstore as a chemist in 1946; First chairman of the Nevis Turf and Jockey Club; First president of the of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Senator of the Nevis Jaycees; One of the founding members of Nevis Historical and Conservation Society;

Because of his contributions to the development of Nevis and dedication to its people, the Old Treasury building on Charlestown’s Main Street was renamed in his honour in 2010

The Honorable Joseph Nathaniel France, K.C.M.G., C.B.E., J.P

(16 Sept 1907 to 21 May 1997) :

A National Hero of St. Kitts and Nevis; Director of the Workers' League; Peacemaker on the scene of the Buckley’s Riots of 1935;

Elected as the first General Secretary of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union and first elected representative for West Basseterre; Awarded the honour of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) and in 1996, Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George by Her Majesty the Queen;

Served as Minister of Social Services which embodied Health and Education during the Associated Statehood Government of St.Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla with a general hospital named after him at Buckleys in St. Kitts.

The Honourable Joseph Walcott Parry:

Third Premier of Nevis in 2006-2013; Became the leader of Nevis Reformation Party in 1992; First Nevisian to serve as Permanent Secretary in the Premiers Ministry; Minister of planning, development, tourism, housing and labour from 1987 to 1992; Founding member of the Bank of Nevis Ltd and was the first director;

Served as President of Nevis Cricket Association for over ten years. He was a representative for Nevis on the Leeward Island Cricket Association for six years and sponsored a number of sports teams in his home parish of St. Thomas over the past years.

Joseph Parry served as the first Nevisian Permanent Secretary and was responsible for establishing the Social Security Office and is considered the architect of the Nevis Civil Service structure after Nevis’ independence in 1983.

The Honourable Mark Anthony Graham Brantley (11 Jan 1969):

Fourth Premier of Nevis from 2017 to present and holds the ministerial portfolios of Finance, Statistics, Economic Planning, Human Resources, Industry, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Tourism, Government Information Service and Nevis Television, Public Utilities and Energy and Foreign Investments;

Was Senator in the Nevis Island Assembly for then Opposition Party, the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) in 2006 and was named Deputy Leader of the party in that same year; 2007 he was elected to the Federal Parliament of St. Kitts and Nevis and became the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and held that position until January 2015; He became Leader of CCM in 2017;

In 2013, he was Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, Health, Gender, Social Affairs, Social Development, Youth, Sports, Culture, Community Development and Information;

He is also an elected member of the Federal Parliament of St Christopher and Nevis, and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation for St Christopher and Nevis from 2015-2022. Previously served as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis (2007 – 2015) and again serves in that position as of 2022.

He joined Simeon Daniel to form the Daniel, Brantley & Associates law firm in 1996. He is currently a Member of the Bar in St. Kitts-Nevis (1994), Anguilla (1996), Grenada (2009), and Antigua and Barbuda (2009), Dominica (2010).

The Honourable Malcolm Earl Guishard

(13 Jan 1952 to 11 June 2007):

Nevis' longest serving Deputy Premier serving a total of 14 years from June 1, 1992 to July 10, 2006 and was Minister of Communications, Tourism, Agriculture, Housing, Culture and Information; Elected to the Federal House in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2004 as the St. Paul's/St. John's representative;

Founded the Nevisian Heritage Village on the 22 of February 2003;

A recreational park for the enjoyment of all Nevisians and visitors dedicated to his memory at Pinneys site bearing his name. When Pinney’s Estate was being sold it was Mr. Guishard who sought to keep that plot of land for all Nevisians to enjoy and envisioned and stipulated that this site should be used as part of our tourism product.

The Honourable 'Nurse' Jean Harris (1948):

First woman to win a political seat in the Nevis Island Assembly in 1997; A Minister of Health that revolutionize healthcare on Nevis from 1997 to 2006; Health Advisor to the Nevis Island Administration; On the 16th June 1981 she was awarded a Fellowship by World Health Organization to pursue a course in Primary Health Care.

Roland Spencer Byron

(4 Oct 1914 to 1997):

President of the Nevis Island Assembly and on of the founding members and President of the Nevis Historical & Conservation Society (NHCS) in 1983; Secretary of the Christian Council until the mid 1980’s; Appointed Warden of Barbuda in 1954; Appointed Warden of Nevis in 1963 and the official host to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

Elquemedo Tonito Willett (MBE) (01 May 1953):

Nevis-born slow left-armer Elquemedo Willett was the first man from the Leeward Islands to play for West Indies when he made his debut as a 19-year-old against Australia in 1972-73;

Grove Park, was renamed Elquemedo Willett Park in his honour in 2010; Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to sport.

Calvin ‘Cabo’ Howell

(n/a to 2001):

One of the founding fathers and first chairman of Culturama in 1974; President of The Nevis Dramatic and Cultural Society (NEDACS)

Mother of Culturama Irma Johnson:

One of the revered pillars of the Nevis Dramatic and Cultural Society (NEDACS), celebrated as the Mother of the Nevis Culturama Festival. As a founding member, she played a pivotal role in its inception and growth, serving on the Board of Trustees with distinction.