A joint delegation of Yamaye Guani Taino Peoples and Charles Town Maroon leaders entered the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, attending the Sectoral Debate presentation by the Honourable Olivia Grange, OJ, CD, MP, following an invitation from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES).
The visit marks a significant moment for the Yamaye Council of Indigenous Leaders (YCOIL), a collective uniting Maroon communities and First Peoples in Jamaica around shared advocacy for constitutional inclusion, ancestral recognition, and protection of sacred spaces.
Indigenous presence in the parliamentary gallery
Kasike (Chief) Kalaan Nibonrix Kaiman, Kasikeiani (Chieftainess) Ronalda Pairman, and Kasike-Rahuto Tanama-Areyto represented the Yamaye Guani Taino Peoples alongside leaders from the Charles Town Maroon community.
The wider delegation included Rodney Rose (Captain, Operations Manager and Abeng Blower), Lois Tenn (Administration Officer), and cultural practitioners Kerry Bryan, Cashaine Richards, AnnMarie Charles, and Alicia Thompson. Gaama Gloria “Mama G” Simms, Paramount Chief enstooled by the Surinamese Okanisi Maroons and founder of the Maroon Indigenous Women Circle, also joined the group.
The parliamentary appearance followed the 18th Annual Charles Town Maroon Conference and Festival, which strengthened collaboration between Maroon, Taino, and Rastafari communities and deepened ongoing cultural exchange.
Legacy and leadership
Chairman Michael Lumsden linked the moment to decades of cultural advocacy and organisational groundwork led by Col. Frank Lumsden and Col. Marcia Douglas, both central to advancing Maroon cultural preservation and rights-based advocacy.
Their work across government ministries, academic institutions, donor agencies, and Indigenous networks helped shape the Joint Secretariat of Maroon Leaders, now represented by YCOIL.
Reception and cultural showcase
Following the parliamentary session, the delegation gathered at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Complex for a reception where they presented ceremonial drumming, dance, and ancestral soundscapes.
The performance brought Indigenous cultural expression into central Kingston, closing the day’s proceedings with a public affirmation of living heritage.
Looking ahead
The Yamaye Guani Council, Charles Town Maroon community, and YCOIL expressed gratitude to MCGES for the invitation and engagement.
Leaders say the moment strengthens momentum toward formal legislative and constitutional recognition of Indigenous rights in Jamaica.
Tami Tsansai