Kalinago Chief, Anette Sanford has accused state-owned DBS Radio and the Government Information Service (GIS) of discrimination for their absence during the inauguration of the Kalinago Chief and Kalinago Council which was held on September 11 in the Kalinago Territory.
Both state entities are well known for carrying functions such as the village council inaugurations live, which made their absence at that ceremony glaring. GIS carried the inauguration of immediate past Kalinago Chief, Lorenzo Sanford live and it is still available for viewing on the Government of Dominica’s YouTube channel. DNO cannot confirm, although it is likely, if DBS carried the past ceremony live.
Hours before the September 11 inauguration of the new chief started, announcers on DBS continuously said they were waiting for connections to the function but later announced that the radio station would not be carrying it live. No reasons were given.
It was a matter that did not escape Sanford, the new Kalinago Chief. In a letter to both entities, she expressed her disappointment saying it has been a practice and precedent that Inaugurations of Village and Town Councils be carried live by them.
She stated it was expected by the Kalinago Council and the people of the Kalinago Territory “that past practice in this respect would hold for this Inauguration.”
Sanford went on to say what was most concerning was the lack of communication from both GIS and DBS expressing regret for not being able to carry the function live.
“This behavior at this September ceremony at which Her Excellency, Mrs. Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, officiated, and also at which presentations were made by Honorable Cassani Laville, Minister of Health and Cabinet Member representing the Prime Minister, Honourable Greta Roberts, Minister of Local Government, Sports and Culture, Honourable Cozier Frederick, Minister of Environment, Kalinago Affairs and Rural
Modernization and Parliamentary Representative for the Salybia Constituency defies reason, and any modicum of respect to the First People of Dominica,” she wrote.
Sanford described the absence of the two as a “display of distasteful conduct.”
“I must hasten to add that the Kalinago Peoples of Dominica view this act as another example of continuing discriminatory behavior towards our community and particularly to women since this behavior came at a time when the Kalinago people took great strides in accomplishing Gender Equality for Kalinago women,” she wrote.
“We felt it incredulous that this could have happened at this very important, historical event in our Territory.”
In that light, the Kalinago Chief said the Kalinago Council is seeking a public apology from both GIS and DBS “for wbat we consider to be an egregious and discriminatory act directed at the Kalinago Peoples.”
“Never again should such indiscretion be meted out to Dominica’s Indigenous Peoples, or to
any community in Dominica,” Sanford wrote.
She said the Kalinago Council looks forward to a response for such action “particularly when the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica officiates at an official event. The letter was copied to President Burton, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Cassani Laville, Greta Roberts, Cozier Frederick, and Glenroy Toussaint (Local Government Commissioner).
“The term discriminate appeared in the early 17th century in the English language. It is from the Latin discriminat- ‘distinguished between’, from the verb discriminare, from discrimen ‘distinction’, from the verb discernere, corresponding to “to discern”.
Since the American Civil War the term “discrimination” generally evolved in American English usage as an understanding of prejudicial treatment of an individual based solely on their race, later generalized as membership in a certain socially undesirable group or social category. Before this sense of the word became almost universal, it was a synonym for discernment, tact and culture as in “taste and discrimination” generally a laudable attribute; to “discriminate against!”
So, there are still Dominicans with the bourgeoisie mentality, but that is different from discriminating against Annette; if there is any form of discrimination in our country at this time; it’s perpetrated by the Chines on our people!
Blame Roosevelt…
She’s right, but it’s disappointing that she can’t rise above it. She said in her inauguration speech that there was a need to put aside political differences. She must lead by example.
To the illiterates who cannot understand the significance of the first female Kalinago Chief in the history of Dominica, and possibly among indigenous native tribes to the Americas, this is bigger than you and even Chief Anette Sanford! Playing local divisive Dominica Labour party politics with every aspect of Dominica’s development will only hold Dominica back!
When Chief Anette Sanford won the election, I noticed the lack of coverage or any intellectual perspective and discourse from GIS and DBS radio! It is as if they did not get the significance! I did not write any complain because I thought they were waiting for the inauguration! Their lack of coverage and interest have been even more stark! We are failing ourselves over Labour party dog eat dog, if you not red you dead, politics! When and where will this self-hate of Dominicans against Dominicans stop? The national, government owned media has treated this result and Chief Anette Sanford badly for all to see!
Here we go with the discrimination thing as an excuse for everything. We are quickly going down the road of american politics. Next we will be talking about discrimnation against our LGBT representatives seeing as homosexuality is legal now. It’s just a good thing that we are a mostly black/mixed population so the activits don’t have that as a wedge issue. So instead they focus on women and now it’s the “kalinago” too. This stuff is STUPID and doesn’t do anything positive for the country. We are a failing state, the economy is on life support but we have to waste time worrying about identity politics garbage
Unadulterated garbage! What was done by DBS and GIS by deliberately boycotting this historical first is blatant discrimination. For you to use this forum to try to justify obvious wrongdoing is foolhardy.
This is exactly the reason Dominica languishes in the derriere position in terms of development in the Caribbean – fierce politics tribalism. You are endeavoring to defend the indefensible. You will end up with rotten egg on your face.
Same BS from Annette whether she is in national politics or local. Same cry cry, fake victim, and petty nonsense.
What is the injury to you, your people, or the Council in the non-appearance of DBS (GIS was there)? Zero. In what way have you, your people, or your Council suffered or lost by the non-appearance of DBS? In no way.
So, woman get to work and focus on delivering. Stop taking on trivialities and wasting your energy making a mountain out of nothing. It’s a flagrant waste of good energy.
@Lin Clown #2
What is the difference between national and local politics Lin Clown #2?
Only insensitive and insensate disciples of the tainted, unscrupulous ruthless regime argue like that. There is no application of common sense.
Discrimination might be a bit strong.
What it is however is self centered autocratic politics on the part of the “Supreme Leader”.
“Who are YOU to vote for HER after all I’ve done for you?” He may not have uttered these words but thats exactly what this behavior says.
Continued TOTAL DISRESPECT of the Kalinago People.
Roosevelt Skerrit and Donald Trump may not be ideologically aligned; but boy do they practice the same politics.
“Roosevelt Skerrit and Donald Trump may not be ideologically aligned; but boy do they practice the same politics.”
This statement is as “strong” and absurd as Annette’s accusation.
This Roosevelt-led administration has never once failed to surprise MD by doing the right and ethical thing.
Their hyper-partisan, tribal politics knows no bounds. Political polarization.is at the heart and center of every decision made by this ruling idiocracy.
Those of the higher echelon in the civil service work at the behest of Roosevelt. The people’s wellbeing is inconsequential. They perform for an audience of one.
We need a government that is inclusive, one that embraces and looks after every Dominican regardless of one’s political allegiance, social status, weight or height.
I want to wish the Kalinago Chief, Mrs Annette Sanford, tremendous success during her tenure. Don’t allow the pettiness of those small minded people to derail your efforts from helping your people to achieve their fullest potential.
” political allegiance, social status, weight or height.”
hahaha bro had to put ‘weight” and “height” to replace “gender”, “ethnicity” and “sexual orientation” because those aren’t relevant to our country. At least for now. Soon the gender and sexual orientation will start to come up more as the LGBTs start getting active now that they have legal right
“Kalingoa Chief, Anette Sanford has accused state-owned DBS Radio and the Government Information Service (GIS) of discrimination for their absence during the inauguration”
Annette, you should not be surprised if indeed you were ignored by a Radio Station which is controlled by a crooked, corrupted crook such as Roosevelt Skerrit! The fact you perhaps refuse to sell your soul to Roosevelt, thus allowing him to own you; you should expect to be ignored.
On the other hand I heard you mentioned this nonsense in the past, and so I must remind you that it’s foolish to continue believing that there is systemic discrimination in Dominica. I do do not believe anybody is discriminating against you. You are a Kalingoa, so am I Black as I am! There is a guy Lois Robinson you perhaps heard him on Radio many times, he is as light as you, our grandmothers mother is from Seneko: it is politics as usual; but, I doubt not even Roosevelt is discriminating against you when he too is part Carib!
That’s no surprise Anette. In fact my only surprise would be if they were present.
Just make sure that your office is not used as a conduit to channel undeserving funds to anyone for corrupt party political purposes/ends. Expose to the hilt those who attempt to do so.
Congratulations again, and again and again!!
“Expose to the hilt those who attempt to do so.
Congratulations again, and again and again!!”
For sure! Especially those who promise diplomatic passports in exchange for some hundred thousand US dollars for campaign and court fees, which are to be routed as “funds for humanitarian purposes.” After all, a snap election is fast approaching (December 2024, i hear) and they have a huge bill to pay the Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan and his team from Trinidad.
You got it all wrong mister fervent supporter of corruption and corrupt activities. You should have mentioned instead Ali Reza Zibalat Monfared a criminal and money launderer sponsoring trips of high ranking officials with dirty money. Oops and hungry hyenas taking 90% of your money, and still asking you for their share of the remaining 10%. You just like to dirty your 2 corrupted feet, and to place them in your corruption filled mouth? Your darn accessory of evil, get out of here, shameless!
You have always failed miserably to defend in your face corruption, but greed keeps you trying again, and again and again!
And herein liee the difference between Monfared and those whom the Aljazeera bomb-dat-never-bust dayclarwayed. There is ZERO proof that Monfared has engaged in illegal deals with any DLP leader. None! Lots of conjecture and fantastic imaginations, but absolutely no proof. However, we have a signature and voice clips from known UWPwee operatives promising to barter our diplomatic passports for money to conduct an election campaign…..money to be declared as “humanitarian” contributions. You can choke on dat.
This fact will forever haunt the UWPwee as the ONLY political party to be caught, not once or twice, with its hands, illegally, over our cookie jar. The only one! Go figure.
Lin Clown # 2
How is a fool like you trying to be a mouth piece for the Caribbean’s most corrupt government?
The comment by MEME has rocked you and Peeping Tongue? Is your party guilty of doing that? Relax brother. You sound so senseless, brainless and stupid in all your comments.
@Peeping Tongue
MEME is the best.
Take that Peeping Tongue!