The Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment has officially launched its schedule of activities to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Kalinago Territory originally referred to as the Carib Reserve.
It was established on July 4, 1903.
The activities will be squared over a one-year period with different areas of focus including that of culture, heritage, health, tourism, youth, elders, forestry, and sustainable economic development to name a few.
“We intend to focus on our existence in the form of an evaluation over the 120 years,” Chairperson of the Kalinago 120 Initiative, Prosper Paris said while addressing the launching ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room on Friday. “We will also hold various symposiums to address matters of land management and our natural resources such as coastal erosion, forestry, and water resource, agriculture practices for sustainable and commercial enterprise as well as economic development of the Kalinago Territory”
Paris continued, “We plan to engage the Kalinago people, national and regional experts with knowledge and skills in various fields, and the general public for a series of consultations, seminars, and lectures.”
According to him, in the first few months from July to September, the group will commemorate the establishment of the Kalinago Territory from July 1 to July 9, with a number of activities planned.
Paris said the activity will begin with a hike where participants will hike the Canoe/ Charles Warner Trail from 7 am and culminate with a Touna Aute Lime on July 9.
“From August 7 to 9 we will observe International Day of Indigenous People and from September 16 to 24 we will commemorate Kalinago Memorial Day also known as Kalinago week,” he stated.
He indicated that plans are in place to improve the landscape of the Kalinago people by settling on a date for the establishment of Kalinago National Day.
“The finalization of a Kalinago flag so as to give better pride and general positive recognition of the indigenous people of Dominica and the only indigenous reservation in the entire Eastern Caribbean,” Paris revealed.
He went on to state that the aim is to hold discussions on the economic development of the Kalinago Territory and also to put in place a strategy to increase indigenous networking with other international indigenous organizations and people.
The theme for the Kalinago 120 Initiative is “Our Land, the Foothold of Our Survival.”
The list of activities for the Kalinago Territory 120 Initiative is attached below:
Oh wow, July 4! That’s Independence Day here in America.