Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit plans national holiday for Kalinago people; and a car among other things for Kalinago Chief Lorenzo Sanford. Skerrit said by the year 2020, a national holiday would be instituted to appreciate the indigenous peoples of Kalinago for their contributions to the development of Dominica.
The prime minister said the economic, cultural and social contributions to the growth of the nation cannot be overemphasized, adding the people will be empowered to participate more in governance and decision-making.
“I know there has been a debate in the Kalinago Territory among the historians and scholars as to which of the days we should use to recognize the contributions of the Kalinago people,” the prime minister said. “And I know the 21st is the date of the founding of the Kalinago Territory. And then you have September 19, 1930, for the Kalin uprising where the Kalinago people defended the patrimony of this country and the integrity of the indigenous people. So I will not engage myself in the debate, but I wait to be advised by the Kalinago chief as to which of these two dates to use. I have my own preference from a historical perspective, but that is left for the Kalinago people to determine so that we can have the necessary decisions at the cabinet level.”
Skerrit added Lorenzo Sanford will be given a car and other necessary tools to be able to function well in his official capacity as the new Kalinago chief. He said the chief will also be appointed with a council administrator to make his tasks easier. He added the car will be made available before the end of the week.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
