Jean Olibrice gave his new member talk.
Jean handed out a map of the country that he was born in, Haiti, and showed us where Haiti is located.
Haiti and the Haitian people must deal with many natural disasters, and gangs.
Haiti means Land of High Water, and its motto is Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. They acknowledge that both men and women are born free and have equal rights. Unity brings strength.
Prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the people of Haiti lived an agriculturally-based, peaceful life. In 1492 Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and called it Espanola. He enslaved the native people to work the gold mines and plantations. The people were converted to Christianity, and were subjected to harsh treatment. Spanish abuse and disease resulted in the population dropping from about 1,000,000 to only a few hundred, and finally extinction.
In order to keep the mines and plantations operating, the Spanish turned to Africa for slaves. They transitioned to cotton and sugar plantations. The awful treatment of the enslaved people continued for a few hundred years.
Colonizers from France, Spain and Britain battled for land and slaves. Espanola was divided with France holding the west, and Spain holding the east. Finally, the enslaved rebelled.
In 1791 Haiti was one of the wealthiest colonies in the world.
In 1802 Napoleon attempted to re-instate slavery.
In 1804 Haiti became independent, however France and the USA did not recognize its independence.
The colony generated immense wealth through the labour of 40,000 imported, enslaved people.
Jean’s life:
Jean was born in Haiti. There was no secondary school in his community, so he moved to Port au Prince to continue his education. In 1978 he migrated to Canada. He earned a BA from UW in the 1980s.
His professor, John Ryan, was a visionary and taught that Canada needed to diversify its economy. He advocated for interprovincial trade in the 1980s, which is just happening now.
Jean met his wife, married, had children, and went back to school, earned his B Ed., majoring in French and Geography. He recently retired.
In retirement, Jean volunteers with well drilling projects in Haiti. The water from rivers and streams there is not safe.
