Kalinago Territory

As a focus of our fundraising, the Dominica Association of Ottawa is collecting donations for the Kalinago Territory, home to the Indigenous community of Dominica. The Kalinago Territory (formerly called the "Carib Reserve") is a beautiful and culturally vibrant part of the island and was particularly devastated by Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria destroyed most of the homes in the Kalinago Territory. Estimates are that 80% of homes have been severely destroyed. This has left most Kalinago people homeless in the wake of Hurricane Maria and the infrastructure in their territory extremely damaged. Hurricane Maria also destroyed 100% of the agriculture on which so many Kalinago rely for income.

The Kalinago

The Amerindian people had settled the Caribbean island chain as far back as c3100bc (in some cases, such as with the Greater Antilles, c4000bc). The hunter-gatherer Ortoiroid people settled Waitikubuli (the Kalinago name for Dominica) from about 3000bc to 400bc, to the modern day Kalinago who date back to about 1000AD.

These earlier people came from South America, having traveled down the Orinoco and up the island chain bringing with them corn and cassava to the Kalinago. Dominica's rugged terrain worked to their advantage as they held back European settlers for two centuries.

Agreed to remain a neutral territory, Dominica was the last Caribbean island to be colonized by Europeans. Instead Dominica served as a stopping off point for refuelling ships and refreshing crews after their long transatlantic voyage. In the time of sailing vessels, the passage between Dominica and Guadeloupe became the main route for ships traveling from Europe. The Kalinago traded with Europeans while still protecting their land. When Europeans finally settled the island the Kalinago were forced further inland suffering great casualties.

In 1903 a 'territory' was created for them known as the Kalinago Territory, made up of eight villages – Sineku, Mahaut River, Gaulette River, Salybia, Crayfish River, Bataka, Atkinson and part of Concord. The Kalinago have their own Chief and also a representative in the House of Assembly. They tend to keep to themselves and their culture has remained very much unchanged compared to other areas of the island. They reputedly use 300 different herbs for medicine — some of the best bush doctors hail from the Territory. Dances, traditions, legends, and beliefs have been kept alive by the elders who pass on theses traditions through story-telling. The language is only spoken by a few people today and traditional dances are performed by Karifuna, their dance group.

The Kalinago community is about 3,000 people. Their territory consists of 3,700 collectively-held acres (15 square kilometers) in which the principal livelihood is agriculture. Its eight hamlets are home to community centres, health clinics, churches, a mosque, schools, as well as an amazing cultural centre, the Kalinago Barana Auté. The Territory is home to many amazing community leaders, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, artisans, dancers, musicians, international Indigenous activists, and artists, including the Karifuna Cultural Group and Carina Cultural Group. It is almost spiritual how one is flung centuries back into a cool, calm place with the most beautiful group of people, amidst the straw huts and baskets made by the best artisans. You might never want to leave but you would have to unless you could prove that you have Kalinago Ancestry!

How to Learn More about the Kalinago:

• https://www.iwnsvg.com/2017/10/04/dominicas-indigenous-people-confident-kalinago-territory-will-be-rebuilt/
• https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/09/21/mark-trahant-indigenous-community-in-dom.asp
• https://reliefweb.int/report/dominica/un-secretary-general-urges-indigenous-community-dominica

For more on the Kalinago:

• The website of the Kalinago Territory: http://kalinagoterritory.com
• The website of the Kalinago Barana Auté: http://www.kalinagobaranaaute.com
• A magazine article offering Kalinago perspectives: (Coming soon)
• A Brief history