As Dominica prepares to mark a historic milestone of 48 years of sovereign independence, the Caribbean island nation is set to host a prestigious public awards ceremony to celebrate 17 extraordinary residents whose lifelong efforts have shaped the country’s social, economic and community progress. The official National Observance Ceremony will unfold at the iconic Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with proceedings kicking off promptly at 5:30 p.m.
In an official public announcement releasing the full 2026 national honors roster, the Government of Dominica extended its deepest national gratitude and warmest congratulations to every selected recipient, hailing their decades of unwavering, selfless service that has lifted up local communities and accelerated inclusive national development across all sectors.
Heading this year’s cohort of distinguished awardees are four recipients of the Sisserou Award of Honour, Dominica’s second most prestigious state distinction. This year’s Sisserou honourees include Vivian Trotter, a veteran civil engineer whose infrastructure projects have connected remote communities across the island; Dr. Rhonda McIntyre, a leading paediatrician whose decades of clinical work and public health outreach have drastically improved child health outcomes nationwide; Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas, a trailblazing administrator who expanded access to social security coverage for thousands of vulnerable households; and Francis Stewart Paris, a construction industry leader whose affordable housing initiatives have supported low-income families across the nation.
Seven community trailblazers will receive the Meritorious Service Award, a distinction reserved for leaders who have driven tangible progress across grassroots sectors. This group includes Johanna John-Bertrand for her dual contributions to education access and social security advocacy, Romualda B. Hyacinth for her decades of work preserving and promoting Dominica’s traditional cultural heritage, Cedric J. Harris for his lifelong investment in youth sports programming and youth mentorship, Colette Pauletta Prosper for her landmark advocacy expanding rights and accessibility for people living with disabilities, Rawle Leslie for his work advancing sustainable agricultural practices and rural agricultural education, Colbert Pinard for his youth development programs that have reduced youth unemployment and disengagement, and Rosalind Adora Scotland Rabess, a veteran nurse who has served rural health clinics for over 30 years.
Four long-serving public servants will be recognized with the Long Service Award, which honors individuals who have dedicated multiple decades to upholding and strengthening Dominica’s public service systems. This year’s recipients are Mcpierreson Eric Frampton for his 40-year career in core public administration, Florestine Anthea Lewis for her decades of frontline nursing care, Alice Laronde for her lifelong work as a primary school educator, and Veda George, a pioneer in expanding high-quality early childhood education access across underserved rural districts.
Closing out the 2026 honors list are two recipients of the Services Medal of Honour, awarded for exceptional community and administrative excellence. Clayton Lawrence Jno Baptiste will be recognized for his transformative public service work streamlining government services for residents, while Ronald Jno Baptiste will receive the honor for his decades of grassroots leadership that has improved local infrastructure and quality of life in his home rural community.