The Across the Isles Foundation was established to bring the "Across The Seas" project to life, made possible by a one-time contribution of €500,000 from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). This project aims to highlight and connect the heritage and history of Bonaire and its sister islands, focusing on local stories, academic research, and education. A beautiful opportunity for Bonaire that we didn't want to lose.With this funding, we hope to realise this project with the community of Bonaire to co-create a remembrance place in the area of the former Fontein plantation. A key component of this site will be a monument honoring Martis di Katalina Janga, a well known name but remember only to words whithout a physical representation. The monument will symbolize courage and resilience, serving as inspiration for current and future generations.In collaboration with the Terramar Museum and students of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University the foundation will also conduct academic research on the heroes of Bonaire and the neighboring islands. The results of this research will be transformed into educational materials for audiences of all ages, ensuring these important stories are preserved and shared widely.The project will culminate in a final exhibition showcasing the outcomes of the research. Utrecht University students will explore European museums to uncover exceptional objects of Bonaire and the stories behind them, which will be presented as part of the exhibition. These artifacts will bring the rich and often untold history of the islands to life in a compelling way.Across The Seas is a tribute to the shared history of Bonaire and the region, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between local communities, academia, and cultural heritage institutions.

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Apart of being the basic foundation for the 'Across The Seas' project, The Across The Isles Foundation (ATI), was designed to carry out the bridge gaps in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On the islands, many individuals and groups with transformative ideas lack the formal legal entities required to access funding. Their voices, rich in knowledge, creativity, and cultural insight, risk being excluded from processes designed to honor and heal the past.ATI bridges this gap. By acting as a trusted intermediary, the foundation provides a framework for channeling resources into meaningful projects while respecting the unique context and needs of the islands. It empowers those without formal structures to bring their visions to life—whether through storytelling, cultural preservation, environmental initiatives, or education—ensuring that no voice is left unheard. We do this by co-creating with the people behind the initiatives.ATI’s local presence allows it to assess proposals realistically and guide projects effectively.This foundation is not just about funding; it’s about building a system that acknowledges the islands’ history, fosters equitable opportunities, and strengthens civil society. ATI creates a space where individuals, regardless of formal status, can access support to bring their projects to fruition. By doing so, it honors the spirit of Mr. Knot, the president of the Dutch National Bank, apology, transforming words into lasting change.The Across The Isles Foundation is deeply thankful for the trust placed in it by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and for the intensive, collaborative process undertaken with its representatives. This partnership and co-creation has been instrumental in shaping ATI’s mission and approach, enabling the foundation to align resources with the realities of the islands.Through partnerships like this and collaborations with academic institutions, ATI ensures that its projects—spanning arts, heritage, democracy, and sustainability—are impactful and empowering. Always focused on amplifying local voices and fostering resilience, ATI represents a bridge between history and hope.This is an invitation to collaborate, to dream, and to build together, ensuring that this moment of reckoning becomes a foundation for resilience and renewal, where apologies lead to action, and action leads to a brighter, more inclusive future for all of us.