The Kalinago Dream

For 500 years we have been hearing about the myth of the extinction of the Indigenous people in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, who have lived in the protected community of the Kalinago Territory for generations. The present population is estimated to be about 3000 people. Despite the harrowing experience of European invasion and colonialism beginning with Christopher Columbus, the Kalinago have survived these destructive genocidal attempts and are still here today celebrating their history and culture. New Land chronicles the stories of resistance, resilience, survival, and celebration of the Kalinago Territory that are told in their voices and from their perspectives. The story unfolds around the life of Honorable Minister Cozier Frederick as the first representative of the Kalinago in the Dominica national government who is working towards the improvement of the socio-economic condition, the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the people of the Kalinago Territory.

“I grew up with my dad and uncles who were all Kalinago chiefs and in the tribal councils. And we always spoke about national politics. But I never imagined I would actually do that because I was sort of always being coached by my dad and his comrades to take up the tradition of being in the tribal council and chief. Then I realized that I could maybe do more at a policy level in the governance of the country itself. So I think moving beyond just doing politics as an academic pursuit, but actually to really put it into practice for the benefit of others — and so I’m excited to have been born here and to raise a family in that exact space, an ancient space, a space I intend to bring to the fore in terms of modern society.”

Hon. Cozier Frederick — Minister of Environment, Rural Modernization & Kalinago Upliftment

“The Kalinago were the tribe who resisted Columbus, who resisted European colonization, who resisted slavery. It is written in European books that the Kalinago would rather die than be enslaved. I think it is really important for our history to be told by our people, the ones who have experienced the savagery of conquest, the ones who were hunted like animals. It should be told from our voices — and that people know the truth, that it will not be covered up and whitewashed as though it was some great adventure of conquest.”

Louis Patrick Hill — Former US Virgin Islands Senator

“This island is in my native language called WAITIKUBULI, which means tall is her body. The Kalinago people give names to places based on their characteristics, because it is so rugged and raw and wild.”

“Kalinago people could find hiding places in the mountains where Europeans couldn’t find them. European boats couldn’t dock on the Atlantic coastline, so they couldn’t access the land. And so a lot of the Kalinago from all of the different islands sort of congregated on WAITIKUBULI, and eventually this became sort of the last stand of the Kalinago.”

Louis Patrick Hill — Former US Virgin Islands Senator

“Native people have always had a really special relationship with nature. I think we need to get back to that. We need to reestablish our connection and our spirituality and respect and honor for the natural things in the world.”

Louis Patrick Hill — Former US Virgin Islands Senator

“Hurricane Maria is an experience to remember. It blew away the entire building — four bedrooms and four bathrooms — and that was the least of it. The building, yes, got destroyed. But I remember having people remain after the wind for a whole week, and we had to feed the family from our own pocket. Little that we had to go.”

Patsy Thomas — Retired nurse

The effects of climate change on the island of Dominica manifested themselves in the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria on September 18th, 2017, with 265 km/h wind speed and higher gusts. The Kalinago Territory and its people were severely impacted. Road access was severely compromised as bridges and sections of the main highways were washed away. Communication was down as heavy winds threw down electric poles and wires. Families were left without food and homes, and in some cases, some lost family members. It is regarded as the worst natural disaster in recorded history to affect the island.

“But what is most important to note is that we didn’t allow a massive hurricane like Maria to cripple us. We regrouped, and we embarked on a journey to become the world’s first climate-resilient country.”

Hon. Cozier Frederick — Minister of Environment, Rural Modernization & Kalinago Upliftment

With the help of Minister Frederick and others, the Kalinago are exploring ways to create a “New Land” as they walk in the footsteps of their ancestors into a more sustainable future, while still maintaining the integrity of their cultural landscape. They endeavor not just to be resilient but to thrive in their ancestral lands.

“So although I serve within the offices of central government, I’m aware of the importance of what I call pushing the Kalinago agenda — seeking that Kalinago Dream. Because I have argued many times that the foundation of our society, our Dominican or Waitikubulian society, is one that hinges heavily on Kalinago heritage. So if we’re not diligent and we discount that heritage, we may well be destroying the foundation of our country itself. So that’s my job. It’s a simple job. It’s a humbling job.”

Hon. Cozier Frederick — Minister of Environment, Rural Modernization & Kalinago Upliftment