Upcoming Kalinago Council election sees record number of hopefuls

On August 14, 2024, Kalinagos will once again go to the polls to elect a council to serve the people for the next five years. Just two weeks ago residents went to the polls to elect a Kalinago Chief by secret ballots. As a result of this election, Mrs. Anette Sanford was victorious at the polls becoming the first ever woman to hold the office as “Oubotou”. History was made as many people turned out to be part of this momentous occasion. It was truly an atmosphere of jubilation and cheer that went from late night to early hours of the next day. For the first few days thereafter, people were confused as to how the Chief should be addressed: some wondered: should she be addressed as ‘Lady’ Chief; Chiefess; Chieftain, or just Chief?One week after this historical moment, those who were motivated to serve as councilors had to be nominated at the Resource Center in St. Cyr in the presence of the Returning Officer, Ms. Kathleen Auguiste. A record twenty-four (24) people in total got nominated for the council: including men and women from all the eight hamlets of the Territory; various work backgrounds, and personalities. In hindsight, the energy, enthusiasm, and hope that radiated on the night of the Chief elections could explain the large turn-out for council nomination. One local person said, “I want to work with Anette in the Council so I can tell my grandchildren that I was there from the beginning when history was made in the Territory”. Historically, it is interesting to note that the establishment of the Kalinago Council was formalized by the ‘Carib’ Act of 1978, incorporating the office of the Chief as part of the Kalinago Council. The Local Government System states that “the Act provides for the establishment of a body corporate for the administration of the Reserve and for matters connected to its development”. Understandably, the Act makes provision for a separate election for the Kalinago Chief and then for the six (6) councilors.The Kalinago Council is unique in its structure and establishment and one component that makes it stand out among the other Village Councils in Dominica is that it can make by-laws for the administration of the Territory. The Kalinago Council ranks on an equal level with the Roseau City Council and the Portsmouth Town Council. Unlike other local authorities, it has a longer term of operation. Namely, its term of operation is five (5) years, while the other councils can only serve for three (3) years. Another notable difference is, that the other councils have eight members: five are elected and three are appointed by the Minister, while the Kalinago Council are all elected to office by the people. The chief and councilors are charged with the following duties: to officially represent the Kalinago People; oversee the day-to-day affairs of the Territory, and administrate the unique communal land system.

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8 Comments

  1. Labour power
    August 12, 2024

    Skerro did congratulate Annette,She said so to the media whore on Q95.Unity is strength,go and read,typical UWP,brainless.What do you under by,while the Kalinago council are ALL elected to office by the PEOPLE.Lord help us with the high level of stupidity displayed by acolytes of UWP.No wonder your blue boss did not understand section 66 of the constitution.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8
    • me
      August 12, 2024

      @Lin Clown
      πŸ˜„πŸ˜„πŸ˜„πŸ˜„
      Is it Lin Clown calling people stupid? So it means that there is not a word to describe your brainlessness? Maybe shameless embarrassment. I do hope that young school children done read your mess.

  2. Putin
    August 12, 2024

    Nothing to do it’s labour or uwp . This is purely the kalinago people doing what needs to be done . Anyone that tries to say uwp this and labour that in that election has a single digit IQ.
    I still waiting for uncle skerro to congratulate te new chief . Unless he actually did it but I missed it

    • Putin
      August 12, 2024

      Fake Putin, go get your own handle. Sakway impersonator, just like the discarded UWPWee leader!

      • MAGWA CA
        August 12, 2024

        see the big baby crying

  3. Labour power
    August 11, 2024

    Hope UWP don’t disrespect the Kalinago people with their same BS,give them rum and corncurls and they will vote you.

    • Ibo France
      August 12, 2024

      This accusation can only come from someone like Lin.Clown.who knows what the present regime does to obtain votes from the poverty stricken electors.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  4. Unity is strenth
    August 11, 2024

    β€œAnother notable difference is, that the other councils have eight members: five are elected and three are appointed by the Minister, β€œ

    I believe all councilors should be elected by villagers just as it is with the Kalinago Council. Yes, it worked well before when we had good governance and not a bunch of Alibaba like government , like what we have today that looking for loopholes and ways to do what Alibaba did the best.
    I am from Thibaud and for years we have been rejecting a councilor for incompetence but Skerrit finds a way to bring him in through the back door and either make him chairman or deputy, when he was rejected by the people. How could this be in the interest of the people? In my opinion if the minister must select three, those three should never be those rejected by the people at the polls and furthermore, those elected by the minister should never be made chairperson or deputy

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1

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