The National Kriol Council (NKC)
Since its formation, the Council has been successful in working with government as one of the country’s cultural organizations in the formation of a national culture policy; in becoming the umbrella organization for all the Kriol groups that were in existence at the time of its formation (Belize Kriol Project, Punta Gorda Creole Group, Creole Association for Retrieval and Promotion and the Creole Society); in establishing a website site www.kriol.org.bz (now as www.nationalkriolcouncil.org); and in producing the Kriol glossary, which led to the publication of the Kriol dictionary (Kriol-Inglish dikshineri) in 2007 (For more information, see:
Dictionary establishes Kriol as full fledged language. (2007, October 31). Channel 5 [Television broadcast]. Retrieved from http://edition.channel5belize.com/ archives/6103
The dictionary was endorsed by the Ministry of Education. Additionally, more than two dozen Kriol-language booklets, CDs and publications based on Writers’ Workshops and other translation and creation activities have occurred. The Council has also been successful in setting up booth exhibitions in districts at various public fora and fairs, in promoting Kriol culture at school visits, in presenting various radio public broadcasts and, to some extent, in showing how the differences between the Kriol language and the English language can be understood in developing fluency and literacy. Most recently, (Jan. – September 2011) one research study is underway that is using the materials of the Belize Kriol Project, which is the literacy arm of the National Kriol Council. It is the Project that focuses on the publication of literacy and reading materials, including the translation of the Bible into Belize Kriol with the kind assistance of the SIL Linguistics group. The Council has also attended various Garifuna and Maya events in meeting its goal to promote harmony among all of Belize's ethnic groups, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding and Articles of Association.
For an update on the most current Kriol Council outputs (cultural retrieval/economic upliftment project, etc.) check with president Myrna Manzanares at:
myrnamanzanares@yahoo.com
The NKC email is:
nkcbelize@yahoo.com
