Carib Chief to be chosen in Dominica

Carib Chief to be chosen in Dominica
by Brad Savage

Next Monday, Dominica’s indigenous peoples vote for a new Carib Chief.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica’s indigenous population goes to the polls Monday to elect a new Carib Chief.Dominica Indigenous

Incumbent Garnet Joseph says he is confident of defeating Charles Williams and Irvince Auguiste, two former Carib Chiefs and newcomer, Jumadine Frederick. The polling stations open at 7 am (local time) and close 11 hours later.

“All of us have our own program that we have presented to the residents of the Territory and I think that my chances of winning the election are very good,” Joseph said.

“I have a good track record of
achievement and it did not start when I got into office, I have been working in the Territory for many years now, in fact, my entire life has been devoted to the development of the Territory so I think my chances on Monday are very good.”

He said that the issue of access to credit by residents of the Territory will be given priority if he is given another opportunity to head the council.

The Carib Territory or Carib Reserve is a 3,700-acre district for the Caribs, also known as the Kalinago.

The Territory was officially formed by British colonial authorities in 1903, in a remote and mountainous area of Dominica’s Atlantic coast. Its population remained largely isolated from the rest of the island throughout most of the 20th century, with only a ceremonial chief and no other formal self-governance.

The Carib Reserve Act, enacted at Dominica’s independence in 1978, reaffirmed the Carib Territory’s boundaries, land management and institutions of local government

The population of the Carib Territory is estimated at 3,000.