On September 11 2024, history was made in the Kalinago Territory when Anette Sanford was inaugurated as the first female Kalinago Chief.
Her oath of office was administered by Local Government Commissioner, Glenroy Toussaint.
She was invested and given her staff of office by President of Dominica, Sylvanie Burton, who is also a Kalinago.
Before a large crowd of government officials, local and foreign dignitaries and people from the Kalinago Territory she vowed to work for the advancement of the island’s indigenous people.
She said as she begins her term of office, she was standing on the shoulders of her Kalinago ancestors who bravely fought to defend Dominica from European colonizers.
“We all stand on the shoulders of our ancestors who, with courage and tenacity, preserved our culture, our language, and our way of life,” Sanford said. “They fought not just with weapons but with wisdom, passing down stories that hold the essence of who we are. It is because of their sacrifice that we are here today, a people with an unbroken spirit and a story still unfolding. These are the shoulders on which I now stand as your Kalinago Chief.”
She stressed the importance of education for the development of the Kalinago people.
“Education, both traditional and contemporary, must become the backbone of our community’s development,” she stated. “We must ensure that our young people are equipped to navigate both worlds – the one we inherit from our ancestors and the one we build today. We must create spaces where our young Kalinagos can learn, grow and lead.”
The new Chief called on regional leaders to help develop the Kalinago people.
“Today, I call on the Caribbean leaders who may be listening to my address, to join hands with me in helping to develop the only living indigenous community in our region,” she said. “Your help would contribute towards healing the hurt and injustice experience throughout our existence as an indigenous people. I am looking forward to having some meaningful dialogue and collaboration with as many of you during my term as Kalinago Chief. It is worth noting that as Dominica indigenous people, we are also the indigenous people of the region. Our success is the region’s success, likewise our failure is also a failure of the region as a people.”
She also called on the government to make good on a promise made to designate a National Day dedicated to the Kalinago people.
“It is on this premise, that I make an appeal as your Kalinago Chief to the Prime Minister and Government of Dominica, that serious consideration be given to the promise made by the Prime Minister at the 2019 inauguration of Chief Lorenzo Sanford – to designate a National Day in dedication to the indigenous people of Dominica,” she said. “That day would appropriately celebrate our culture and heritage as an indigenous people. We would wish to recommend July 4th as such a day. It is our hope that July 4th, 2025 would be that start of this celebration.”
During the ceremony, those who were voted in as Kalinago councilors also took their oath of office.
The new chief revealed their portfolios and responsibilities as shown below.
• Francillia Darroux – Health & Social Services
• Kimmerly Tyson – Youth and Sports Development
• Miranda Langlais – Tourism, Culture & Heritage
• Riscia Ellick – Education, Communication & Technology
• Ted Thomas – Agriculture & the Environment
• Wayne Rossi – Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship
• Anette Sanford – Foreign Affairs & Finance
See the full speech of the new Kalinago Chief below.
Congratulations to you Ms. Sanford on being the first female Chief. You should stand proud as a woman and most of all cut from the Kalinago people. Your ancestors will see you through. Keep God, Country and the Kalinago traditions alive in all your decisions. You are supported locally and internationally. My Dad (Bernard Williams deceased) was from Salybia but he would be proud to see you and so many other young people taking on the leadership roles today. Be blessed.
Congratulations on your achievements. You make all women proud. May the good Lord light your path.
So it mean there is a government in the Kalinago territory?Example Kimmerly Tyson responsible for youth.Annette Sanford,foreign affairs.I am confused,how does this work? I remember a few years ago after a UWP defeat by DLP,they(UWP) went to the Arawak house of culture.And there,with Ossie Lewis as speaker the gave all UWP candidates ministerial positions.I remember Lennox Linton was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.Waiting to see how this Kalinago one work.
Let us hope that the interests of the Kalinago people are not compromised by politicizing her tenure with the involvement of outside political forces and their agenda, wishing her all the best.
I agree July 4th, 2025 should be Kalinago Day where we all join them in celebrating
Congratulations Cacique Sanford. I am mostly disappointed that the members of the UWP didnt do a big celebration in your honor since you have been an ally for some time. Non the less, this was a different race and you won. All the best for you and our first people of Dominica.
She did not want this occasion to be tarnished or sullied by partisan political strife. Her #1 goal is UNITY of her community. Politics is Dominica is much too divisive.
The goodly lady is something novel in the political tribalism that has long stifled progress in the country. She allows her words and actions to heal not divide and scar.
Then i fully understand and agree with her choice. No qualms here.
Have you asked yourself about the origin of the divisive Politics in Dominica. Let us hope that your expression of praise does come to pass.
To my knowledge it began with the likes of OJ Seraphine, Patrick John, Charles Severin and Mary Eugenia Charles.
What a crock of sh&t! Annette? Annette Sanford? The Same Annette Sanford who as Senator of the UWPwee repeatedly made an a%$ of herself in Parliament trying to belittle and throw fyuns against select members of the DLP?!
Yes, she has distanced herself from what currently passes as the UWP, BUT…Annette is no angel. Frankly, she is wise to stay away from national politics. She is now relegated to history as Linton and the other dinosaurs.
You very much remind me of bitter tamarind bush. Reserve your hogwash for the DLP’s delegates conference. By the way, are you not concerned about this very important aspect of democracy is being suffocated by one uneducated villain?
“Disappointed,” you say? the UWPwee has been stuck in an internal power struggle for the past years that excludes Annette. There are various clans, none including Annette or her husband, the former Senator; both have ranked among the most promising of their soldiers. The Party does well at destroying any member who shows potential and interest in the leadership of the Party; just see what they have made of Fontaine. He is now reduced to struggling for attention as a weatherman or in St. Lucia.
UWPwee leaders are actually jealous of Annette’s success in the Territory.