Dominica and Kalinago Resilience

By Leslie Kirkness, 1st year MDP student

I have had the fantastic opportunity to complete my international practicum in Dominica, working with Irvince Auguiste and the Kalinago Community, where I studied disaster management, indigenous governance, and the culture and customs of the indigenous peoples in the Caribbean. Upon my arrival in Dominica, I was warmly welcomed and made to feel a part of the community. I met many individuals who have further enhanced my experience in Dominica and taught me valuable lessons, whether intentionally or not.

While in Dominica, I had the opportunity to learn about disaster management, with a primary focus on the Indigenous community of the Kalinago people and their disaster management practices. Disaster management is essential for all communities as disasters can strike at any time. In Dominica, the island experiences hurricane seasons every year from June to October. Furthermore, hurricanes aren't the only natural disaster that can occur, as the island has active volcanoes, is earthquake-prone, and can experience a multitude of human-caused disasters. I learned in the Kalinago Community that there are eight Hamlets (communities), and each Hamlet has a disaster management committee and a leader who oversees all aspects of Disaster needs. Each community has a shelter for community members to access. However, through all this preparation, the committees suffer from a lack of disaster management equipment and from a failure to maintain up-to-date training for community members who assist in times of disaster.

I have also had the opportunity to attend the meetings of the Kalinago chief and council. This was a great experience, and I am so happy to have been invited. The Kalinago people have elected their first female chief, Annet, who has been gracious in accepting me into the community. I have learned a great deal about how the Kalinago people govern and the issues they are addressing. I have learned that the primary concern for the Kalinago people is the lack of economic development and growth opportunities for their community. Chief Annet is working hard to bring more opportunities into the community. Chief Annet is hoping to connect with a leader from my community to learn more about how Indigenous people in Canada approach economic development. I have been and continue to try to make this connection for Chief Annet.

Lastly, the primary purpose of my international placement was to work with an Indigenous community, allowing me to learn about their culture, traditions, and issues surrounding Indigenous peoples in different parts of the world. Having lived and learned about the Kalinago people, I have learned a great deal. It's interesting to know about the issues affecting Indigenous people in various parts of the world. Many problems that surround Indigenous communities I have observed are pretty similar to each other, yet vastly different in combating these issues for proper resolution for each community.

Overall, my practicum has been a great experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been invited and to have learned so much from such resilient people who continue to work towards self-sufficiency and resilience.

Thank you,

Leslie Kirkness

Leslie presenting a star blanket as a gift of friendship to Chief Annet and the cultural coordinator for the Kalinago people, Elder Mary