By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FAMILY Island Junkanoo groups say they fully support the government’s proposed National Junkanoo Authority Bill, but need greater clarity on how the new authority will operate and what this means for the roles of existing Junkanoo organisations.

Representatives from Family Island Junkanoo groups in Grand Bahama and Exuma shared their views during a government-led consultation session held yesterday at the Goldwynn Resorts & Residences.

The Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence’s (JCNP) executive team were invited but chose not to participate. In a statement released on Facebook, they said the decision was made collectively and in the best interest of their organisation and member groups.

Their decision follows repeated pushback to the legislation, which they see an attempt to centralise control and roll back the organisation’s self-governance. The JCNP has suspended all parading activities in protest.

But the move has stirred backlash from some within the Junkanoo community, with some members accusing the JCNP of acting unilaterally and without broad consultation.

Under the proposed bill, a new National Junkanoo Authority would be established to regulate all Junkanoo parades held under the aegis of the government, administer prize money and seed funding, issue licenses and approvals, and set national rules.

Michael Miller, leader of the Swingers Junkanoo Group in Grand Bahama, welcomed the opportunity for his group to participate in various committees created under the authority.

Miller emphasised the challenges Grand Bahama’s Junkanoo community faces and said the authority could provide much-needed support to maintain recent progress.

“We are for the Bill,” he said, while stressing his group’s desire to avoid setbacks. Miller also pointed out that no committee can replace the vital role played by the practitioners themselves.

Having been involved with Junkanoo in Grand Bahama for over 30 years, he highlighted the importance of preserving the culture while working alongside the new Authority.

Oliva “Shine” McPhee, leader of the Mighty Warriors Junkanoo Group in Exuma, also voiced support for the Bill, viewing it as a positive step toward uplifting and preserving the culture nationally.

She underscored the importance of transparency and stressed that Family Island leaders must have a meaningful voice in the decision-making process.

Ms McPhee called for additional consultations directly on the islands to engage fans and participants who still have questions about how the bill will affect them.

Denzel Rolle, a member of the JCNP and a veteran Junkanoo participant with over 50 years of experience, praised the Bill as a significant advancement for Junkanoo. He acknowledged that similar efforts had been initiated by past governments but said this Bill is the furthest the process has gone.

Mr Rolle stressed the urgent need for the Authority to clearly define the roles of key organisations such as the JCNP and the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC), pointing out that current arrangements are unclear.

He urged the Authority to ensure that the opinions of all members within each group are properly gathered and reflected, rather than relying on a few representatives.

“When a group is made up of three to 600 individuals, if one or two people make a decision for the entire group, then you are not getting the full response of those individuals,” he said.

Mr Rolle also highlighted the financial burdens borne by participants, revealing he personally spent $5,000 preparing for two parades while spectators paid only a fraction to watch. He expressed his strong endorsement of the Bill, calling it a “dream come true” for advancing Junkanoo.

Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg responded to concerns about the operational roles under the new Authority, explaining that the minister currently manages the logistics, operations, and funding of all Junkanoo parades nationwide.

This includes coordinating with government agencies and organising the events before groups perform on parade routes. Once the Authority replaces the Government’s role, existing Junkanoo corporations and island associations will negotiate agreements with the Authority on how to jointly manage the parades.

“Nothing changes,” Minister Bowleg assured. He cited the recent successful rescheduling of the Grand Bahama parade from January 1 to January 10, which initially faced resistance but ultimately delivered positive economic impact. 

According to officials, the Authority envisions transforming Junkanoo into a broader cultural festival with celebrations extending over multiple days, enhancing opportunities for tourism and community participation.

The Authority’s board will include representatives from New Providence, Grand Bahama, the Family Islands, and relevant government agencies, all of whom will collectively define their roles and oversee parade management.