Tracy Assing

Who is Tracy?

Tracy Assing was raised on the banks of the Arima river, in central Trinidad and Tobago. She was grew up in an indigenous household, making her part of a small group of people who understanding of the precolonial, indigenous way of life in Trinidad and Tobago.

What does Tracy do?

Tracy Assing is a renowned Indigenous author and Filmmaker. Her largest film product to date is a documentary entitled The Amerindians. With the support of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company and the Ministry of Culture, Tracy completed The Amerindians in 2010 and it premiered at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival that same year. Tracy has described the documentary as "a personal exploration of my indigenous heritage and the indigenous story of survival on this island." The trailer for the documentary can be found here.

Tracy began writing columns in local news papers at the age of 16. Since then she has been 'Hooked', and has had countless publications in magazines, newspapers and journals both regionally and internationally. Tracy's unique style of writing and storytelling helped to put Trinidad and Tobago on the map and more importantly, given voice to Indigenous people everywhere.

Tracy was also represented Trinidad and Tobago in the Common Wealth People's Forum in 2018, held in London. She was invited to join a panel which discussed Indigenous Rights and Self Determination.

Why is her work important?

The importance of the work that Tracy has done, and continues to do cannot be understated. Tracy's literature and film has given voice to an underrepresented group of people in Trinidad and Tobago. A group that was destroyed and forgotten by Trinidad's first European settlers, but is slowly regaining their voice. Tracy's writing builds connections between literature and lived experiences. It helps readers to personally engage in indigenous cultures and question our own assumptions about indigeneity.

Joshua Poon