The name change from Carib Territory to Kalinago Territory is one on many “urgent matters” that will be in for consideration when parliament convenes for the first time since the general election late last year.
Parliament will meet on February 20, according to Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.
“We also intend to take a couple urgent matters before the parliament, for the parliament consideration,” he said. “One of course has to do with the renaming of the Carib Territory.”
He informed that what is known as the “Carib Territory” will be changed to the “Kalinago Territory” and the “Carib Chief” will be renamed to the “Kalinago Chief.”
Skerrit described the move as very important and a “correction of history as have had articulated by the Kalinago people for many years now.”
He also noted that many historians both locally and otherwise have “corrected that historical wrong” in their publications.
“So they have replaced the word ‘Carib’ with ‘Kalinago’ …” the Prime Minister said.
The matter has been a long running one with leaders of the island’s indigenous people calling for a name change.
Former chief, Garnet Joseph, has in the past expressed disappointment that the proposal to the government was not getting the attention that it deserved, adding that the request for a name change is justified.
The 1978 Carib Act designated the lands of the Territory as the “Carib Reserve,” and provided for the governance of these lands by an elected “Carib Chief” and “Carib Council.”
However, in recent times, leaders of the island’s indigenious people have argued that the word “Carib” has its roots in colonial times, first utilized to refer to them as cannibals and they say it is laden with derogatory connotations.
They say the continued use of the word does not foster a sense of ethnic pride among the people, and hinders attempts to increase the awareness and appreciation of the people and their contributions to Dominica.
They argue that the word ‘Kalinago’ should be used because Father Breton, who lived among the people in Dominica on and off between 1642 and 1653 wrote in his dictionary, “This is the real name of the Caribs of the islands.”
Breton wrote the word as “Callinago”, but the usual phonetic writing today is “Kalinago,” according to historian, Dr. Lennox Honychurch.
As a Carib person, while I appreciate the comments of some the rest of you are very disrespectful making urselves some dumb a . You will never know how it feels unless you are one of us , in truth and fact all I have to say on this is I was never opposed to a name change but the timing was inappropriate .and the right protocol was not followed. Even if that was in the air for a million years, the fact was there was no consultations with the masses and even if there was , there was no referendum held so to have a clear mandate of the majority. But again the questions are (1) where did that name came from? (2) what does it mean? (3) what immediate effect this is going to have on our level of mentality?and (4) what level of economic and social developments is this going bring to our people.?
Dominicans you all need to learn your history and stop leaving stupid uneducated comments on DNO. I understand nobody have time to read a book, but all the info is at your finger tips. The name Carib was given to them by Christopher Columbus because he believed he reached the East Indies by sailing west. On his first encounter (which for sure had mistranslation and preconceived ideas) he was told about a fierce people that recently raided a Taino/Arawak town and taught they were the Khan people of Mongolia that Marco Polo spoke about on his voyage east from Europe. According to to his-story the Khan were cannibals. The Kalinagos were assumed to be the people of Khan, from this came the name Carib and Caribbean. All these were later used as a tactic and justification to Queen Isabella of Spain and the rest of Europe as to enslave the natives of our region. I support them in changing their name to what they called them selves, whether it be Kalinago or Karifuna.
Dominicans y’all need to learn you all history and stop leaving stupid uneducated comments DNO. ok I understand nobody got time to read a book but all the info is at your finger tip. The name Carib was given to them by Christopher Columbus because he believed he reached the East Indies by sailing west. His first encounter which for sure had mistranslation and preconceived taughts, he was told about a tribe that recently raided a Taino/Arawak town and taught they were the Khan people of Mongolia that Marco Polo spoke about on his voyage east from Europe. According to to his-story the Khan were cannibals, Hence the name Carib and Caribbean. All these were later used as a tactic and justification to Queen isabella of Spain and the rest of Europe to enslave the natives of our region. I support them in changing their name to what they called them selves, whether it be Kalinago or Karifuna and not what some europeans called them.
Kubuli is an Arawak name
Carib – Caribbean. It is said they are the first settlers. Should they not be proud of this name?
I have read of this name Kalinago and was surprised that they changed the name from Carib to Kalinago.
How did they arrive at Kalinago? What is the importance of this name that they want to be recognized and called Kalinago?
Lennox Honychurch who is our historian could provide us with this information. Please educate us accordingly.
The Kalinago people have been disrespected, ridiculed and despised for a long time and it is high time that they stand for their rights. They were the first on the island and they deserve to be called by the name of their choice. Even the word “Kalinago,” was not chosen by them but by others. Anyway, if that’s what they want to settle with we should respect that. They should also continue to keep their language and not let it die. They should let English be their secondary language. They should not let their history die but should pass it down to the future generations. “A people without the knowledge of their history and culture is like a tree without roots; they are dead.” (Marcus Garvey)
There are also some street names and buildings that should be changed. These colonial names indicate that we are still controlled by those who colonised us. Change is a must and we should aspire to do that and be independent as we are supposed to be.
ONE LOVE
Carib-be-an. BE AN CARIB
Why would u change ur name when u are the last indigenous survivors in the CARIBbean. your name is CARIB… its not KALINAGO. Kalinago is a south American name 4 the same people the name was also given to them so to adopt their name when it does not represent the Caribbean is foolish. You r distancing yourself from the only thing in modern day & age identifies u with the CARIBbean.
Market allu self across the Caribbean as the only surviving indigenous tribe in the Caribbean use the name Carib, becuz it represents Carib-be-an. BE AN CARIB. Travel to other Islands, establish territories, which is achievable bcuz of your indigenous ties, repopulate the Caribbean, tell allu chief to send couples and families out to start more indigenous territories. I guarantee every Island will welcome the idea. it will expand their tourism. Grow allu wealth garcon. eer anansi tell allu allu is dahseen when ab4 allu wz yampeh now dasheen will take over yampeh rights…
My brother, do you know that the indigenous people came from South America and the name Carib was given to them? Just as names were given to us in days gone by by the priests, so too, the name Carib, was given to them. I personally believe that the indigenous people should rename themselves instead of settling for a name that was given to them. On the other hand, if they are satisfied with the name Kalinago, so be it.
Who gave names to lands anyway? The colonists had and still have the audacity to name places and even change the names of places. They do so and no one questions their motive. They are like gods in the earth and everyone else submits to them. Did’t Columbus give name to our island? And don’t we still accept it? He was engaged in the slave trade and we should have already changed the name because we are supposed to be an independent nation.
In any case, the indigenous people are a great people and like I mentioned above, they should revitalise their history.
ONE…
sir Carib is a european name which means Cannibal because Columbus taught he reached the east indies by sailing west and taught they were the Khan people of mongolia Marco Polo wrote about on his voyage east which were cannibals.
While there has been some concern by the previous council administration about a name change, there are feelings on the ground that this idea has not been discussed with the people themselves, neither has any discussions held with government and the present administration, to proceed to parliament without the approval of the present council, will be a clear violation of the human rights of the people.
The U N Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people gives state an obligation to first seek and obtain the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people,, is going to parliament parliament without first seeking the free prior and informed consent of the people not a clear violation of the U N Declaration of which Dominica’s Government is a signatory to this very declaration?
Dominica next – this is the name that really needs changing, Dominica!
Is this just another political ploy to try to appease the Kalingo people for the disrespect shown to the Kalingo Chief? A name change while it is appropriate , will mean nothing more than a cover-up of the injustices suffered by these people unless social and economic development programs are brought to the Kalingo people to better their lives. The attitudes of governments and the people towards the Kalingo people over the past years has resulted in them being some of the poorest among the Dominican society.
Such Beautiful People!!
God Bless The People of Dominica
and God Bless Dominica
The name change is appropriate, however, it certainly was a long time coming.
recently the Carib chief indicated that a name change may not be that easy and that Kalinago may not be the desired name.
now this?
Time to move away from the colonial namesake
where you think Kalinago comes from? Where your name come from? If you rename yourself abuja balata that doesn’t change the fact that you are not African. You are West Indian. So why should Caribs call themselves Kalinago because they are descendants of south American Indians? Black people were brought to the Caribbean, Caribs owned it. They are not the strangers in a strange land it was their land. They left South America which is no longer their land, the Caribbean is. That’s why they are called Caribs the last survivors they’re is no shame in that.
sir Carib is a european name which means Cannibal because Columbus taught he reached the east indies by sailing west and taught they were the Khan people of mongolia which were cannibals.
The Sun reported on 30 Jan. that Parliament will convene on monday 23 Feb. at 10.00 am. and not on 20 Feb., which is a friday anyway. So what is the correct date please.? Thank you.
ADMIN: The correct date is February 20. An email was sent a few day ago from the office of the PM stating the date was February 23, however the media was informed that the date was not the correct one.
That sounds like what happens when a company files bankruptcy Lol or crooks get caught they just move on under another nme and open in a different location. Sometimes these criminal so bpld they use the same premises under a new name.
DFP rejects now Neo DLP lol LMAO and real Loud.
Dealing with urgent issues such as: The Labor Commissioner report, the GON Emmanuel fire boming incident of 2010 that has not been resolved, The Black Sigatoka disease, The Children’s Hospital, The State of The act Hospital, The Contract they signed for the international airport which includes locating the sight, Election reform and others are more urgent than changing name from Carb Territory to Kanilago Territory. Dominica is in too much trouble to use the precious time of the brilliant heads of Team Dominica on this useless matter. It is just politics again Skerrit and any idiot can see it.
As you may be correct that there are a number of “important” issues up for debate, I would like you to show respect to the Kalinago people. Stop saying that this is a useless matter. Is people like you that think you all are better off than us, the Kalinagos, and think matters involving us are useless. Changing the name from Carib to Kalinago is a very important issue and should be treated as such. So hold you tongue and show us the respect that we deserve.
You mean to tell me with all the problems we have going on in Dominica as we speak, changing the name from Carib to Kanilago will be one of the most “urgent matters” that will be in for consideration when parliament convenes for the first time since the general election late last year? These fellers are joking man? I mean now we have a very strong, talented, visionary, and love for country opposition, they going to try to waste precious time on such an insignificant matter to make sure they frustrate Team Dominica? Unlike any other community in Dominica the Carib people have a Carib chief and Carib Minister, why can they not have the carib people to vote on that issue? Furthermore, we just had a Carib Chief election and general election, why did they put that in as something the Carib people could vote on? Why should Parliament decide for them? Will they also consider changing the Caribbean to Kanilagorian? Carib is our history and we should secure our history.
@Not Me Alone, you must be aware that the name change for the Carib territory has been in discussion for a long while now. The govt has been accused of dragging its feet on the matter. Now the govt is taking the matter to Parliament to finally make it the law of the land and you are saying that the govt is frustrating your visionary Team Dominica, what rubbish. Think about what is best for Dominica and not what is best for UWP trading as Team Dominica.
Even if Hyundai changed their name to Toyota and fail to change their engine and all the other import stuff, people will still judge them by their lack of performance. Even if LIAT were to change their name to TAIL and do not change their way of doing business, people will still know is the same old same old LIAT. I am sorry, the problem is not the name but the mind set. by the way when you change their name are you also going to change all the beautiful books I read in history of the Caribbean? It’s just another political Gi-Mi-x
Yes Sir, cosmetics are now a priority? After your party disrespected and ignored Chief Williams at a recent meeting you calling this urgen? I think that is just a diversion tactic for us not to ask any more questions.
ROFL TAIL!
Should we change the name from Caribbean to Kalinagobean?
sir educate your self before you make comments. Carib is a european name which means Cannibal because Columbus taught he reached the east indies by sailing west and taught they were the Khan people of mongolia Marco Polo wrote about on his voyage east which were cannibals. this name was later used as a justification to enslave them.
They can call themselves whatever they want; but except they change their mentality and let politicians know they are not for sale and will not be bought for rum, plywood, galvanize, flushing toilet, or the promise of tablet, just a few days before an election, they will be seen and used as who they really are. They need to let people especially politicians know they are bright, intelligent, and are not hungry and cannot be bribed. That’s what they need to change first.
Very good point. was thinking the same thing.
My respect for the Carib people will be increased when they start respecting themselves.
I thought that the name change had taken place long ago, for so long I’ve been hearing the name ‘Kalinago’ then why the delay?
Call yourself whatever you want. Just doh change my Carib beer.
I can’t find the importance of the name change. How can that really help the carib people. Please find discussions of importance in cabinet and stop wasting the caribs’ time.
That is why I chose our own Kubuli, a beer with a Kalinago name for real men made with unadulterated spring water. You can keep that horse p from Trinidad.