The light from the north star of our Constitution has been shining above,
before and around us since our birth. The light shone through our parents, grand parents, siblings, our extended family, our teachers, our pastors, leaders of organizations, internally and externally, and the Territory. That light was reflected in the moral code of the home through oral discourses as well as the examples set by our parents and seniors. That moral code guided our behaviour, showing us the things and the modes of behaviour we must adopt and those that we should shy away from and leave alone. If we dimmed that light by slipping outside the moral code we were chastised and brought back in line with the requirements of the code. The same principles were applied to our lives at school. The school culture, the laws the regulations, and the relationships brightened the light of knowledge, hope and love. As we became of age we gained more personal responsibility for keeping the light of the Territoy's Constitution shining within and around us, and guiding us through the maze of life. This was reflected in the changing relationships in our homes, learning institutions, workplaces and the wider community.
As we grew older, became better educated and wiser, we learned more about the light of the Territory's Constitution which guides our relationships with one another on individual and group levels, within the Territory, and the Territory's relationships with external entities. As the Territory develops and expands into various spheres of human endeavour the light of our Constitution brightens to provide guidance and protection for all who are engaged in those divrrse endeavours. Sometimes the light becomes dim because the activities in these endeavours exceed its illumination. When this occurs the Terrìtory engages in restoring a reasonable balance between the illuminating power of the Constitution Light and the demands of civil society. We refer to that process as Constitutional Review.
We are currently engaged in one of those reviews of increasing the illuminating power of the Constitution to light up its dark corners and provide brighter illumination to chart, guide and protect the way forward. The Constitution Light which should illuminate our journey of Self-Determination is blurred if not hood winked with various forms of external blinders. This Constitutional review in which we are presently engaged must remove those blinders so that we can see clearly our Self-Determined journey. The Christmas season is the celebration of the birth of the Light of the World. Let us reflect, brainstorm, consult, analyse, synthesize together under and within the illumination of the Light of the World until we arrive at the Constitution illumination that meets the present needs and aspirations in our daily endeavours.
The Constitution is for everyone and everyone is invited to share in this process. Everyone's contribution is important and acceptable in this united quest for greater control in our Self-Determination. Each of us should do our part and claim ownership of our Constitution. We must decide where we want to go and how we are going to get there or some other outside authority will decide for us. I do not believe B. V. Islanders "ate their school fees."
- Dr. Charles H. Wheatley