The Government of Dominica is deepening its collaborative governance approach with the indigenous Kalinago community through structured monthly consultations. Honorable Cozier Frederick, Minister of Kalinago Upliftment and Salybia Constituency Representative, convened his second formal meeting with Kalinago Chief and Council leadership on March 5, 2026, reinforcing institutionalized dialogue for transparent development planning.
Central to discussions was the transformative Kalinago Territory Multipurpose Centre and Emergency Shelter—a $7.6 million infrastructure project underway in Bataca. Funded by the Government of Canada through the Caribbean Development Bank’s Community Disaster Risk Reduction Fund, this facility represents a significant investment in both cultural preservation and climate adaptation.
The climate-resilient structure is engineered to withstand Category Five hurricanes and seismic events while incorporating sustainable features including solar power generation, backup diesel generators, and a 15,000-gallon water reserve. With capacity to shelter 125 individuals during emergencies, the center will include dormitories, medical facilities, emergency operations infrastructure, and community spaces designed for cultural programming, education, and tourism activities.
Stakeholder engagement has been integral to project development, with Kalinago representatives conducting site visits to assess progress firsthand. Current dialogues focus on operational management strategies, community programming, and the formal naming process—which will incorporate indigenous language and cultural identity through community consultations and school participation.
The partnership also plans to expand celebrations of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9) through enhanced Kalinago Day festivities featuring cultural exhibitions, traditional culinary displays, sports activities, and inter-indigenous exchanges.
Minister Frederick emphasized the government’s commitment to development that “reflects the aspirations of the community while preserving the culture, traditions, and heritage of the Kalinago people.” Both parties have agreed to continue monthly consultations addressing additional priorities including housing, agriculture, waste management, and community beautification initiatives.