The family, and friends of Mr. Lawrence Darroux, and by extension the people of the Kalinago Territory, were exhilarated as they received the news when the announcement was made by Parliamentary Representative Mr. Cozier Frederick, during a meeting with residents and officials. Whilst giving an update on the rehabilitation progress. Mr. Frederick said, “upon completion of the road, it will be called Lawrence Darroux Highway. We are suffering the inconvenience now, but the time will come when we will benefit immensely from the road.”
After the announcement, there was a feeling of satisfaction on the faces of those present. People then understood that
despite the uphill struggle of the Kalinago People heroes are emerging from among them and that they are even more determined to forge ahead leaving footprints on the history of Dominica. Some people remarked, “for us Kalinagos, Mr. Darroux is a Kalinago hero. Over the years, we have cultivated a deep respect, love, and admiration for him”.
Others in the community were asked for their reaction to this news including the Kalinago Chief Mr. Lorenzo Sanford, and this is what he said about Mr. Darroux, “I am thrilled to know that a Kalinago Brave[is] finally being recognized”. He further stated that “all around Dominica prominent Dominicans are being named after bridges, for example, E.C LoBlack bridge, E.O. Leblanc Highway, Schools, Health Centres, and other buildings. Finally, a native Kalinago is being named after a highway which passed through the Territory”.
In an exclusive interview with Mr. Darroux, when asked about his reaction to the news, he was dumbfounded.
“It is not easy for me to find the right words to describe my feelings, but I am happy,” he said. The joy radiating from his eyes said it all. However, he expressed his profound gratitude to God for, “allowing me to receive this news while I am still alive. Many people only receive their flowers when they are no longer alive. This is certainly a blessing for me. Also, I want to extend my gratitude to the Government of Dominica for bestowing this gesture on [me] and by extension, the people of the Territory”, he said.
What do we know about Mr. Lawrence Darroux? He is now 90 years old and lives in his humble home in St. Cyr. His wife passed immediately after Hurricane Maria. There were nine children from the marriage, eight girls and one boy. In 1971, he entered Politics when E.O. Leblanc was the then Premier of Dominica. From then he started lobbying for a motorable road from Castle Bruce to Hatton Garden via the Kalinago Territory.
“I felt that a road would boost development in the Territory because we were so poor”, said Mr. Darroux.
Mr. Leblanc left office in 1974 and Mr. Patrick John became the Premier. In 1975, Mr. Darroux contested the general election and won his seat. He then became the first Parliamentary Representative of the Salybia Constituency. “This was the opportunity I was praying for and it is here so I decided to make the most out of it. I put my case forward and my request was granted. It was a glorious day for me when the surveyors started to survey the land from Castle Bruce to Hatton Garden and the caterpillars started cutting the road from Hatton Garden to Castle Bruce”, Mr. Darroux
recounts vividly.
Well done soldier! Those were the days when we had true labourites who understood that someone did not have to vote for you in order to benefit from economic activities. May jah continue to bless you sir. Long live the KALINAGO of this blessed land.
There was a $10,000,000 water project for the Kalinago People.UWP gave the project to Cleve Royer,who at that time was a member of UWP,and the Chairman of the board of directors of Dowasco.The project was never completed and it is ALLEGED that money from the project was used to buy residential land in Mahaut.We know the UWP used the hospital user fee to target the Kalinago People.
This is awesome news. Bravo, Mr. Darroux! Congratulations!