About IMSI

The Indigenous and Maroon Studies Institute (IMSI) was established in recognition of the enduring significance of Indigenous and Maroon peoples to the history, identity, and future of the Caribbean. Through their systems of governance, environmental stewardship, cultural knowledge, resistance, creativity, and visions of freedom, these communities have profoundly shaped the Caribbean region and continue to do so. However, their experiences, intellectual traditions, and contemporary realities have often remained underrepresented in research, education, public discourse, and policy. IMSI was created to address this gap.

Incubated within the Centre for Reparation Research (CRR) at The University of the West Indies, the Institute advances interdisciplinary scholarship, education, and strategic partnerships that place Indigenous and Maroon knowledge systems at the centre of regional and global conversations on reparatory justice, cultural heritage, sustainable development, and decolonisation. In doing so, IMSI reflects the University's commitment to producing impactful research while strengthening relationships with the communities whose histories, knowledge and contemporary priorities the Institute seeks to understand and advance.

Acknowledging that Indigenous and Maroon communities are not merely subjects of study, IMSI partners directly with these communities to document, preserve and promote history, knowledge and cultural heritage, while supporting cultural continuity. The Institute also expands opportunities for education, policy development and regional cooperation through research, teaching, public engagement, and collaborative knowledge production.

IMSI recognises that Indigenous and Maroon knowledge offers valuable insights into environmental stewardship, cultural resilience, social justice, and alternative models of sustainable development that are increasingly relevant in the twenty-first century. By fostering collaboration across communities, governments, academic institutions, and international partners, the Institute aspires to become the Caribbean’s premier hub for Indigenous and Maroon studies, contributing to cultural repair, intellectual leadership, and the preservation and advancement of knowledge for future generations.