Pamela Poitier

Born in the United States, Pamela Poitier now lives off the grid on the north side of Cat Island. Ms. Poitier acts as an educator and playwright who enjoys working with the children of Cat Island and learning traditional values, culture, and history from community elders. Ms. Poitier was interviewed at Shannas Cove Resort on the northern end of Cat Island. Pam began her interview by discussing the history of Cat Island, which was called “Guanahani” by the Indigenous people of the Island. Furthermore, in 1492, it was called San Salvador by Christopher Columbus but later changed to Cat Island because a priest petitioned Parliament to change Watlings Island to San Salvador. Pam’s grandparents were Tomato farmers and exported goods to the United States. Ms. Poitier described her spirituality, experience with racism in the United States, and life on Cat Island. Additional topics included Cat Island history and traditional ways of farming and building houses.