JCNP Chairman: “We Did Not Threaten Any Junkanoo Group”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Amid claims Junkanoo groups were threatened by the Junkanaoo Corporation of New Providence ahead of the 2026 Junkanoo season, Chairman Dion Miller is pushing back, saying no group is forced to be a member of the JCNP.

Youth Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg tells The Tribune newspaper he had been informed that the JCNP threatened groups with the loss of sponsorship and possible expulsion if they registered directly with the ministry for government seed funding.

He said he got several calls from groups, which he said were disturbing.

However, in defense Miller said the JCNP has nothing to do with seed funding.

Dion Miller – Chairman, JCNP

“That is an internal agreement between the individual group and the government. The JCNP does not get involved in that, so that is between the group and the government. If any organization wants to just go and get seed funding from the government to get a sponsorship from Our News, or get a sponsorship from Nike, that is their business as individual groups,” Miller said.

In talks with the minister, Miller says he did not reveal who the groups were making the claim.

Furthermore what is at the crux of this recent issue?

Miller says the JCNP recently sent a memo to all groups requiring them to declare or cosign with the JCNP for this year’s parade.

“We’ve asked groups to declare if they are in a position to do step down, if they are in a position to do lead the costume…to let us know the number in the lateness how many people they have, so it is a straightforward declaration.”

“It was not a threat. They can not state or show where they were threatened verbally or in writing. So it’s unfortunate that the groups or persons would hide behind anonymous sources to make those claims.”

“If we all be honest with ourselves, drama as it pertains to Junkanoo did not come into play until the Valley Boys situation took place, and that is unfortunate there have been a lot of persons meddling in the issue, and that is the root or the genesis of this situation,.” Miller said.