You may know the name Antonio Soberanis. He's remembered in Belizean History as one of the first Belizean nationalists whose love of country led him to become Belize's first and fiercest labour activist.  His labor movement which started in the mid 1930's paved the way to self-government and Independence in Belize. 

But, Soberanis isn't lionized the same way that the leaders like George Price are. In fact, his legacy is often overlooked, and if you aren't studying local history, or aren't a historian, you may know very little about his contributions.

So today, after weeks of preparation, NICH and the Institute of Social and Cultural Research invited the press and his family to his resting place in his home village of Santana, on the Old Northern Highway. It's being given recognition as a cultural heritage site by NICH, and our news team was there when it was rededicated.

Daniel Ortiz has that story:

Here at this grave site in Santana Village lies the remains of Antonio Soberanis, one of the great labour leaders in the 1930's. But, if you didn't know that, or somebody didn't point it out to you, you'd probably drive past this part of the Old Northern Highway without giving it a second thought.

So, to ensure that historical significance of such an icon could be pinpointed, NICH and the Institute of Social and Cultural Research rededicated his resting place today with a ceremony.

It's been restored, and a sign summarizing his importance to Belize's history, was officially unveiled today.

The NICH authorities made sure to invite his descendants to the ceremony, so that they could witness the state's commitment to reminding the next generation of the life and legacy of a man they read about in the history books.

The ISCR says that this is part of their effort to identify places of cultural and historical importance

Shari Medina - NICH
"Our institution believes in embracing community Heritage by raising awareness and conducting research on people and places of historical importance in Belize."

And nobody knows how important Soberanis is, as much the historians, and his family

Phylicia Pelayo - Researcher, ISCR
"Who was Antonio Soberanis, and why should his story matter to you? Really to understand who he was and where his actions stem from, you have to understand the environment that he came out from in the 1930. So, in the 1930's the Great Depression had shattered the Belizean economy. So, out of these conditions emerged Antonio Soberanis Gomez, who became the voice of the unemployed."

Antonio Soberanis Jr - Son of Antonio Soberanis
"My father, Antonio Soberanis G. was the first hero of this country, and he was a sincere hero. I would like to tell somebody a part of my father's history, and a part of his family history before I die."

A part of that history emerged today at the ceremony when the Director of ISCR presented a never before seen photograph of Soberanis back in his heyday.

Nigel Encalada - Director, ISCR
"Just as recently as Monday, I was looking for a Catholic priest to dedicate the site, and I eventually found Fr. Mumba who graciously agreed to do it, but in talking to his secretary, I just went there, and I introduced myself, and I told the young lady what we were doing. And, the young lady said, 'But Mr., I've been waiting a long time for somebody from NICH come to this place because I have a picture at home from my grandfather of Antonio Soberanis. What kind of coincidence is that? And so, when she - I picked up the picture this morning, and you see here something that was hidden all these many years in someone's home. And he's the person on your right, and you'll see that he's not a very tall man at all. As a matter of act, when I saw his son coming, I said, but wait, that looks like this man. So, you know, genetics are strong. So, this man was the labour leader that the Colonial authorities was afraid of. Size doesn't matter, so to speak. It's what is in your heart, and in your head. We now have this in our possession, and it will now find its way into our archives. It'll be sent in a copy to the Belize Archives, to NICH, and t the National Heritage Library. So, it is there permanently for future Belizeans to see."

But, while the Historians want to preserve this snapshot, the natural forest around this nation builder's resting place have been slowly encroaching and covering the monument. You could say that it's been forgotten except by a chosen few, similar to how Soberanis' name and legacy isn't as big a brand name in today's society like George Price or Philip Goldson.

Timothy Aldana - Grandson of Antonio Soberanis
"These things have not been taken care of to the best. But, every so often, we come out here, me personally, I come out here to clean it up, do some chopping around it, and see. But it's only like to keep the mark. Like you guys think, you know, it's just a mark you want to keep remembrance of this person."

So, that's where the students of Kings College come in. They will be the caretakers who will maintain its upkeep.

Pedro Reyes - Principal, Kings College
"Absolutely, as a school, Kings College is committed to be able to upkeep this heritage site, to be able to somehow instill a certain level of ownership of this site, and we promise to be able to create pride in our students, and the community members along this road."

Soberanis, who was a barber by trade, emerged as one of the early 20th century leaders to challenge the colonial government and agitate for the improvement of wages and working conditions of the laborers in that era. Back then, trade unions, which are now an accepted part of mainstream culture, did not exist at that time.