TCI News
TCI: Human Rights Commission Launches Humanitarian Awards
#Providenciales, November 15, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is set to host the first ever Humanitarian of the Year Awards 2018 to highlight the selfless acts of persons living within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
On Friday, November 9th the HRC announced that the nomination process was officially open throughout the country, allowing persons to nominate residents within two categories: The Humanitarian Award and the Young Humanitarian Award.
Residents have now until December 7th to nominate any individual or organization of the Turks and Caicos Islands whom they feel have demonstrated the spirit of humanity in a local, national or international capacity by:
- Promoting mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation and lasting peace among all people;
- Contributing to the alleviation of human suffering, protection of life, or the promotion of health;
- Educating the public on the meaning and importance of humanity and human dignity;
- Promoting respect for all human beings.
Nominees must be a resident of the TCI and must be persons who have consistently demonstrated qualities of compassion and humanitarian values through integrity, responsibility, mutual respect, human equality, courage and moral progress.
‘When we look around us at our beautiful islands we see underserved communities, increasing crime levels, violence and division. We need to build a better society, and this award is one way in which we can help make that society a reality. In honouring people who work to help others, who work to rebuild communities and promote unity instead of division, we promote humanitarian behaviour. In promoting that selfless behaviour, we hope that more people will model the humanitarians in our midst and say to themselves, ‘I can do that.’ stated Director of the TCI Human Rights Commission, Sabrina Green.
Green further remarked; “When our youth see one of their own celebrated for the good work that they do in our communities, they know that they are noticed, that they are valued and that they can make a difference. It is only when our young people are fully engaged with our communities that we can create a society that is more unified, less crime and one where all people are treated fairly. After all, you cannot change a society by changing its old men, you change it by teaching its children.’
Once nominations are closed, a shortlist of nominees will be created from individuals with the most nominations following which a Selection Committee will be tasked with selecting the winners based on the pre-set criteria’s. The winner of the Humanitarian of the Year and the Young Humanitarian Award will be revealed during an awards celebration slated for Saturday, December 15th at the Shore Club Resort.
The HRC is also encouraging persons to make advance purchase of tickets as space is limited.
Green said: ‘There are some remarkable people in our communities who put the quality of life of others above their own, who diligently work with people less fortunate than themselves, who spend their lives working to create a fairer, more secure society for our children to inherit. This is an opportunity for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to come together and celebrate the best of us, our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, our neighbours and community leaders, an opportunity to say thank you to individuals who work to make everyone’s lives better, so come out and vote, because it matters!’
Residents who wish to cast their nominations can do so by accessing any of the ballot boxes which can be found at the locations below;
Grand Turk
- Fortis
- Cockpit Lounge
Salt Cay
- District Commissioners Office
Providenciales
- Human Rights Commission, Graceway Plaza, Leeward Highway
- IGA Graceway Plaza
- Smart IGA, Downtown
- Gilley’s at Providenciales International Airport
- Fortis, Leeward Highway
- PTV, Stubbs Diamond Plaza, The Bight
North Caicos
District Commissioners Office
Middle Caicos
- District Commissioners Office
South Caicos
- District Commissioners Office
The Turks and Caicos Islands Humanitarian of the Year and the Young Humanitarian of the Year Awards will be presented each year. Each recipient will receive an award certificate, crystal emblem of the HRC in addition to other prizes and will be honored at the Humanitarian of the Year Awards Ceremony in December of each year.
Release: TCI Human Rights Commission Humanitarian Awards Committee
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
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