Anette Sandford becomes first female chief of the Kalinago Peoples in historic Dominican election, here’s why it’s important. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was established to safeguard the rights of Indigenous communities around the world, ensuring their voices are heard and their cultures preserved. For Indigenous women, this responsibility often runs even deeper, as they are the primary culture bearers, charged with maintaining traditions, heritage, and identity for future generations. It is within this global framework of recognition and rights that Anette Sandford’s election as Chief of the Kalinago People takes on profound significance—not just as a personal achievement, but as a powerful victory for Kalinago women, the entire Kalinago/Indigenous community, and, by extension, the Caribbean.
Sandford’s historic win represents a pivotal moment for gender equality within Dominica’s Indigenous population, illuminating the vital contributions of Kalinago women to the nation’s cultural continuity. Long marginalised and underrepresented, Kalinago women have borne the burden of sustaining their community’s identity, all while battling the pervasive inequalities faced by Indigenous peoples worldwide. Her rise to leadership is more than symbolic—it marks a tangible shift toward greater inclusivity, providing a beacon of hope for equal representation at every level of society.
Cultural Affirmation for Dominica’s Kalinago Peoples
Culturally, this election is a significant moment for the Kalinago people, reaffirming their identity within the broader context of Dominican society. The Kalinago people, as Dominica’s first inhabitants, have often been relegated to the fringes of the nation’s political and social landscape. Sandford’s leadership challenges this status quo, amplifying the Kalinago presence within the national dialogue and cementing their importance within Dominica’s cultural and political fabric.
Additionally, her election sends ripples through Dominica’s political landscape, where the ruling Labour Party has maintained power for nearly 25 years. For decades, the Kalinago people have struggled with issues of land use, representation, and autonomy, often feeling excluded from decision-making processes that affect their lives. Sandford’s victory stands as a clear challenge to the political dominance of the Labour Party, signalling a collective desire for change, justice, and a fairer distribution of power and resources. Her leadership could be the catalyst for a new political era—one where Indigenous voices are not only acknowledged, but prioritised in shaping the country’s future.
Looking Ahead To Inclusivity
Sandford’s leadership is expected to usher in a revitalisation of Kalinago culture, fostering a renewed sense of pride and connection to their Indigenous heritage. As the guardians of the island’s original culture, any advancement in Kalinago representation reverberates across the nation, reminding Dominicans of the importance of their Indigenous roots.
Anette Sandford becoming the first female chief of the Kalinago Peoples is undeniably a turning point in Dominica’s history. Her rise to power not only empowers the Kalinago people but also sets a precedent for Indigenous and women’s leadership across the Caribbean. Her leadership signals a brighter, more inclusive future for Dominica—one that honours its first peoples and continues to build a society where all voices are heard.
WK Admin