As Dominica’s annual Grand Kalinago Week Expo kicked off on September 17, 2026, a towering figure in Indigenous cultural preservation stepped into the spotlight to receive one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions for cultural contribution. Faustulus Frederick, a celebrated Kalinago artist and former tribal chief, was awarded the Prevo Cinemall Cultural Heritage Award for his lifelong dedication to safeguarding the art, history, and collective identity of the Kalinago people.
The award ceremony, held at Prevo Cinemall’s venue in Dominica, brought together key community leaders and stakeholders to celebrate Frederick’s decades of work. Attendees included current Kalinago Chief Anette Sanford, Cozier Frederick (the awardee’s son, who also serves as Dominica’s Minister of the Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment), Charmaine Federick-Mitchel (Frederick’s daughter), and Norris Prevost, chairman of Prevo Cinemall and former Minister of Tourism, who presented the award.
Frederick’s legacy extends far beyond his artistic practice. He served as Kalinago Chief from 1975 to 1978, a critical period that coincided with Dominica’s transition to full independence from colonial rule. During his tenure, he prioritized elevating Kalinago cultural identity and embedding Indigenous heritage into the newly formed nation’s national consciousness. Over decades of artistic work and community leadership, he has documented centuries-old Kalinago craft techniques, preserved oral histories, and created works of art that celebrate the unique experience of Dominica’s Indigenous population.
The Prevo Cinemall Cultural Heritage Award is an annual initiative that highlights the contributions of Dominican artists to the nation’s cultural fabric. Past recipients include artist Earl Darius Ettiene in 2024 and historian and artist Dr. Lennox Honychurch in 2025, making Frederick the third consecutive honoree in this ongoing tradition. In a press statement announcing the 2026 award, Prevo Cinemall emphasized that Frederick’s selection reflects the depth of his impact on cultural preservation across the island.
Following the award presentation, the 2026 Grand Kalinago Week Expo opened to the public, running through September 18 at Prevo Cinemall. The expo features immersive cultural exhibits that walk visitors through centuries of Kalinago history, alongside a marketplace where attendees can purchase handcrafted, authentic Kalinago-made goods from local Indigenous artisans. Prevo Cinemall has encouraged all Dominicans to visit the expo, noting that it offers a rare opportunity to deepen understanding of Kalinago heritage while directly supporting Indigenous creators through the purchase of their work.
In closing, Prevo Cinemall extended its formal congratulations to Frederick, as well as to the Kalinago Chief and Council, for organizing an event that serves as a vital celebration of Kalinago identity and cultural resilience in Dominica.