Many St. Martiners have been so inspired by the concept of the card, they warn us against too easily making the cards available to non-native St. Martiners, since it will eventually allow all card-holders the same benefits and opportunities.
In principle there are two categories of candidates who can qualify for our St. Martin ID-card.
In the first place, those who can their prove heritage on the island, North and South, going back to the Landmark Year of 1963, or before.
Then there are those whose heritage is not related to this island, but who have made significant contributions towards the preservation of the St. Martin people, their cultural-heritage, their way of life or towards their interest as a people.
For the record.
Those recipients of our cards who fall in this last category, have all made contributions to our nation building movement one way or the other and they continue to do such as well.
In other words, candidates who do not have the St.Martin heritage, must prove that they deserve this card, which is so important for St. Martiners, the nation building process and to eventually qualify for any special benefits, which eventually will be granted to the card-holders.
That can be done for instance by them committing themselves to projects promoting St. Martin People and their cultural-heritage.
Drs. Leopold JAMES
President SNBF/ Association L' Esprit de Concordia