Cartographic Narratives
Spring 2022
Instructor: Juan Saldarriaga, Michael Krisch
Advisor: Laura Bliss
Collaboration with: Galina Novikova
Spring 2022
Instructor: Juan Saldarriaga, Michael Krisch
Advisor: Laura Bliss
Collaboration with: Galina Novikova
Voices of the GullahGeechee - Protecting Ancestral Land From Erasure
In the face of long-term population decline, climate change and other threats, Gullah Geechee return to Sapelo Island to shore up their land and protect their heritage.
Paths to Resilience
As the climate continues to change and threaten coastal communities along the barrier Islands, GullahGeechee individuals slowly trickle back onto the island to preserve their heritage through powerful community projects, including sugar cane farming traditions led by Maurice and human rights activism led by Queen Quet that aims to provide for future generations.
Community leaders all share a common feeling, that is - the calling to return to the islands. Most who have left, have done so to access opportunities for work and education but have returned willfully to continue the work necessary to preserve the Gullah Geechee Nation.
Although Hurricane season is approaching, there is action being taken to prepare for disasters. Inundation by the saltwater sea is an issue that continues to impact lives on Sapelo, however there are currently little resources to be truly resilient in the face of rising tides. Known as King Tides, these waters impact the land and therefore agriculture and self-sustained food access on the island.
As the community tends to the lands, passed down through generations of African Descendants, there is a general feeling of pride in culture and what it means to be Gullah Geechee. Even in the face of long-term population decline, climate change and other threats, the community who returns to shore up their land and what remains craft a powerful message of preservation and perseverance.