PRESS RELEASE: Afrikan Burial Grounds St. Eustatius recognized by UNESCO * “Restore the dignity of our ancestors” Kenneth Cuvalay, St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance Statia's Slave Burial Sites Gain UNESCO Recognition
This repatriation is part of a wider movement. In recent years, the Netherlands has also returned remains to Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. However, St. Eustatius—a special municipality of the Netherlands—has often been overlooked. This return signals that even the smallest islands deserve historical justice. PRESS RELEASE: Afrikan Burial Grounds St
: A local cultural heritage committee is consulting with residents to determine a respectful way to rebury the ancestors. Broader Restoration Efforts In recent years, the Netherlands has also returned
The repatriated remains likely belong to individuals who lived just before or during the initial period of European contact—a time when Indigenous societies were already collapsing but still fiercely resisting. Archaeologists note that the remains show signs of both pre-Columbian burial traditions and early European trade goods, such as glass beads and iron tools. This return signals that even the smallest islands
They have traveled across the ocean twice now. The first time, they were cargo. This time, they were guests of honor, finally home to stay.
As of May 2026, the focus has shifted toward the permanent resting place for these ancestors. A dignified reburial for 69 remains excavated more recently is planned for November 13, 2026, on the island.
A minute of silence was observed for the thousands of Indigenous remains still held in Dutch soil—literally and metaphorically. After the ceremony, the remains were placed in climate-controlled transport containers and flown to St. Eustatius on a Royal Netherlands Air Force flight, accompanied by a Statian delegation. The Dutch government funded the entire repatriation, including future DNA analysis efforts if requested by the community.