Anette Sanford takes oath as first female Kalinago Chief

Anette Sanford took oath on 11^th September 2024 as the first female Kalinago Chief in almost 400 years, taking up the mantle of tribal leadership. She addressed everyone under the theme “Together We Can Achieve – An Indigenous People Centered Vision for the 21st Century and Beyond.”

While shedding light on the theme, Anette Sanford stated that this captures the essence of what they are here to do. She stated that the day of her oath is not just about the breaking of barriers but also about uniting hearts and spirits to forge a path that reflects resilience, strength, and determination.

She also extended gratitude to her Kalinago territory and stated that she is truly humbled and honoured by the trust that they have placed in her. She noted that this is not just a moment of personal achievement but a collective victory for all of them in past, present and future.

PAST

Anette Sanford called their Past the Foundation of their Strength. She stated that they all must recognize the importance of remembering where they have come from. Sanford also mentioned about carrying the teaching of their elders forward, honoring their memory by continuing to fight for the rights and dignity of the Kalinago people.

While addressing the young Kalinago boys and girls, Sanford stated that if they want to overcome their depressing moments of hardships, they will have to first empower themselves, develop a solid foundation of good moral values and discipline.

“It required me to embrace a daily positive spirit in order to manifest the change that I wanted to see in my community,” noted Anette Sanford.

PRESENT

Anette Sanford asked all her Kalinago people and friends to start recognizing the present moment. She stated that in 2019, she was the alone in the race for the chief, however after five years, two other women were also contesting. She lauded those two women for stepping forward.

The Kalinago Chief stated that it is their responsibility to provide them with opportunities that honor both their traditions and the realities of the modern world.

While emphasizing on Education, Sanford stated that it is the backbone of their community’s development. She noted that they all must ensure that their young people are equipped to navigate both worlds – the one that they have inherited from their ancestors and the one they are building today. She stated that they all must create spaces where the young Kalinago community can learn, grow and lead.

Anette Sanford further continued to say that building a prosperous community as one people with collective aspiration and purpose would not be easy. She stated that it requires the collective efforts of all within the community as well as those outside the Territory with the mandate under the Constitution to do great by the first people of the region.

She also shed light on the challenges and issues they will face as the incoming Kalinago Council. The challenges include, abandoned farms, infrastructures in need of rehabilitation, inadequate Sporting facilities; roads in need of repair and to be completed; environmental degradation; inadequate support in healthcare and many more.

FUTURE

While focusing on the future, Anette Sanford stated that they are envisioning a future where the Kalinago people thrive as a self-sufficient, sustainable, and empowered community. A future where their land, language, and culture are preserved, celebrated, and passed on to the next generation. A future where they are not only seen but heard on the global stage, advocating for their rights and the rights of all Indigenous peoples.

She further stated that as Chief she will also aim to engage collaboratively on economic programs that would benefit the Kalinago people stemming from the recently passed XCD$1.4 B National Budget. While highlighting the projects, she mentioned about the goat program, the fishing boat program, as well as the small business fund for the youth.

Anette Sanford also shed light on reducing or exempting taxes in order to equalize the economic disparities of indigenous peoples within the country.

The team that will represent Kalinago Territory

• Francillia Darroux – Health & Social Services
• Kimmerly Tyson – Youth and Sports Development
• Miranda Langlais – Tourism, Culture & Heritage
• Riscia Ellick – Education, Communication & Technology
• Ted Thomas – Agriculture & the Environment
• Wayne Rossi – Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship
• Anette Sanford (Yours Truly) Foreign Affairs & Finance