Chief of the Carib Territory
Encyclopedia
The Chief of the Carib Territory presides over the Carib Council, the local government of the Carib Territory
(or Carib Reserve) The position is the equivalent of a village council chairperson elsewhere in Dominica. Beginning in the late 20th century, Carib Chiefs have also acted as a representative of the Carib Territory to other indigenous populations in the Caribbean region, and have worked with organizations including the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations
Working Group on Indigenous Populations
.
Historically, the Chief was the leader of the Caribs or Kalinago, the indigenous inhabitants of Dominica. Under British colonialism, the title was officially recognized as a ceremonial position beginning in 1903, when the Carib Reserve was established. The colonial governor endowed the Carib Chief with a silver-headed staff and a sash embroidered with "The Chief of the Caribs" in gothic lettering. Colonial authorities suspended the position in 1930 after the "The Carib War," a brief, but violent, civil disturbance. The position of Chief was finally reinstated in 1953, as part of an island-wide system of local council government.
Carib Territory
The Carib Territory or Carib Reserve is a district in the Caribbean island-nation of Dominica. It was established for the descendants of the indigenous Carib people, also known as the Kalinago, who inhabited Dominica prior to European colonization and settlement.The Carib Territory was officially...
(or Carib Reserve) The position is the equivalent of a village council chairperson elsewhere in Dominica. Beginning in the late 20th century, Carib Chiefs have also acted as a representative of the Carib Territory to other indigenous populations in the Caribbean region, and have worked with organizations including the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Working Group on Indigenous Populations
Working Group on Indigenous Populations
The Working Group on Indigenous Populations was a subsidiary body within the structure of the United Nations. It was established in 1982, and was one of the six working groups overseen by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, the main subsidiary body of the United...
.
Historically, the Chief was the leader of the Caribs or Kalinago, the indigenous inhabitants of Dominica. Under British colonialism, the title was officially recognized as a ceremonial position beginning in 1903, when the Carib Reserve was established. The colonial governor endowed the Carib Chief with a silver-headed staff and a sash embroidered with "The Chief of the Caribs" in gothic lettering. Colonial authorities suspended the position in 1930 after the "The Carib War," a brief, but violent, civil disturbance. The position of Chief was finally reinstated in 1953, as part of an island-wide system of local council government.
| Name | Period |
|---|---|
| Thomas "Indian" Warner | 1667 - 1674 |
| Petit François | Served sometime in the first half of the 18th century |
| (Popot) Wakanik | Served in the middle half of the 18th century |
| Joseph | Served sometime in the period 1850 - 1875 |
| Brunie | Served sometime in the period 1875 - 1900 |
| Auguiste François | Served during the period when the Carib Reserve was officially established by the British government |
| Jules Benjamin Corriette | 1916 - 1926 |
| Thomas "Jolly" John | 1926 - 1930 |
| Simon John | 1930 (six minths) |
| Office suspended | 1930 - 1952 |
| Whitney Frederick | 1953 - 1959 |
| Jermandois Francis | 1959 - 1972 |
| Masclem Frederick | 1972 - 1975 |
| Faustulus Frederick | 1975 - 1979 |
| Hilary Frederick | 1979 - 1984 |
| Irvince Auguiste | 1984 - 1994 |
| Garnet Joseph | 1994 - 2004 |
| Charles Williams | 2004 - 2009 |
| Garnet Joseph | 2009 - Present |