By Cathy Stovell Bermuda residents will soon have the opportunity to learn how to better heal the wounds of racial discrimination and slavery when American Wayne James delivers the keynote address at the National Association for Reconciliation's award banquet.

The NAR will also pay tribute to Bermudian the late Cyril Packwood and present a corporate award to the Maritime Museum.

Mr. James is founder of the Homeward Bound Foundation which decided to drop a marker in the Atlantic Ocean's `Middle Passage' as a tribute to the thousands of slaves that died there.

The monument was transported to the area some 427 kilometres off New York in July.

The event led to him being awarded the Internationbal Humanitarian Award by the Institut International de Promotion et de Prestige Geneva, Switzerland.

Banquet organiser, Dr. Eva Hodgson noted the similarities between the philosophies of Mr. James and Mr. Packwood.

"Cyril Packwood typifies the philosophy of Wayne James that appreciating and memorialising can bring about forgiveness and reconciliation.'' she said.

She pointed out that the Homeward Bound project was important to Mr. James in bringing together his Dutch and African heritage.

"Cyril Packwood valued and appreciated his African heritage too.'' Dr.

Hodgson noted, "He traveled to Africa numerous times and his home was filled with African art, yet there was never any bitterness on his part.'' "He was as considerate and kind in his interracial contact as he was with his love of Africa.

"In fact it was a white person who described him as Mandalaresque.'' Dr.

Hodgson added.

While the NAR do not normally announce the recipient of their annual award until the banquet ceremony, Dr. Hodgson explained that this year it was decided to break the practise to enable Mr. Packwood's friends and family the opportunity to be present.

Clearly moved by Mr. James, Dr. Hodgson described him as having a spiritual quality of sensitivity and openness.

She pointed out that the Catholic church in his native St. Croix helped him launch the Homeward Bound project but held that it was his expertise at involving several international groups including the United Nations, that earned him the International Humanitarian award.

Mr. James will talk on forgiveness and reconciliation through remembrance in his banquet address at the Sonesta Beach Hotel. Slated for Saturday, November 13, at 6.30 p.m. tickets to the event are $65 each.

AWARD AWD