History was made on the 19th of May 2016, when a contingent of 30 youth from the Kalinago Territory converged in the Sineku Enterprise Center with the aim of formalizing the Kalinago Youth Council.
The group, although having had a presence in the 1980s under the stewardship of youth development advocates such as Cozier Frederick, Sylvanie Burton and former Chiefs Irvince Auguiste and Garnette Joseph, became dormant as these individuals matured and took up other responsibilities.
In the words of Cozier Frederick Development Officer within the Ministry of Kaliango Affairs “ the group then existed for the needs of the day which were identity, governance and cultural preservation, the group then was very instrumental in shaping the order of the day, what you find now is that there are a number of opportunities as well as challenges confronting young people of the Kalinago Territory; and right now the onus is on the youth leaders of the day to mobilize the young people of the Kalinago Territory to benefit from prevailing opportunities and to combat common youth challenges”.
As part of the discussions, a draft constitution was presented to the assembly which was reviewed and adopted. Subsequently, an executive was elected to serve as custodians for the development of the KYC and the Youth of the Kalinago Territory.
The initiative was spearheaded by Natasha Green: Youth Development Officer of the Ministry of Kalinago Affairs and Kimani Lapps along with the Acting District Youth Development Officer, Nikki Darroux.
Among the plans for the KYC is the development of a work plan and to convene a youth forum involving every young person of the Kalinago Territory with the aim of conducting a needs analysis to determine prevailing needs of youth of that region and to direct the focus of the Kalinago Youth Council. This will take place over the summer.
The Youth Development Division of Dominica and the National Youth Council, as well as, other private sector organizations have expressed intentions to collaborate closely with the Kalinago Youth Council as Kalinago youth take the front seat in determining their destiny.
The Current Executive is as follows:
Natasha Green: President
Paul Baron: Vice President
Velma Valmond: Treasurer
Catherinette Paris: Events Coordinator
Kimani Lapps: Public Relations Coordinator
Samudi Frederick: Assistant Events Coordinator
Evangeline Joseph: Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.
Cool. But with too many cooks, the soup usually gets spoilt. i hope they can all plan develop and implement as a sound unit when the time is right. Great job my kalinago people.
Is this the new LYO under the code name KYC??? Just asking.
Yes, another socialist organization
Definitely not. There are strong UWP supporters on the executive membership…which is very good! there will be some balance! Very good! Keep it up!
I believe this is great opportunity for young people ages 14- 34 to come together & build a better KT.. Its not about polities because to my understanding there is a few people In that photo who is die hard uwp.. So put away all your negative thinking & support the fact that they are willing to come together & set aside politics, religion etc to build a better future for our youths..
why can’t we encourage young people without adding a political slant? great initiative. stay strong young people
KT has a history of groups being formed and after a few days they disappear. The same people who are in the picture were once member of those groups. Where are they?
Another thing, who does each member of the executive represent?
Aren’t they supposed to be from existing groups? Wouldn’t it be better for members of functioning groups to form the coumcil?
Hope they go out and organize the youth together into hamlet groups and not real parade themselves due to a position.
Why did you not attend to show solidarity?
Hahahahahaha…
Another branch of the Labour Youth Organization. SMH
NEXT
Great initiative however i would have loved the executive members of this council to be more “kalinago looking” because from what i am seeing this group looks like an LYO,go ahead and bash me but i know what i am speaking about.