The Antigua and Barbuda Association of Toronto celebrated the 44th Independence Dinner and Dance on November 8, 2025, at the Toronto Grand Convention Centre, honoring Claudette ‘CP’ Peters, the renowned Soca Queen, for her remarkable 25-year contribution to music, culture, and community service. The event, a vibrant gathering of the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora and their Canadian friends, showcased national pride and cultural heritage. Peters, accompanied by the Disturbance Band, headlined the evening’s entertainment, which also featured performances by Drastic, Menace, Island Prince, and Soca Villain, the 2025 Carnival Road March champion. The event was co-presented by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s Canada Office, with Director of Tourism Tameka Wharton and Association President Selma Alincy emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural connections with the diaspora. Wharton expressed pride in sponsoring the entertainment for the second consecutive year, underscoring the value of promoting Antiguan and Barbudan talent globally. The program included a keynote address by Khan Cordice, Director of Culture and arranger for the Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra. Attendees enjoyed an elegant evening of live music, fine dining, and patriotic celebration, commemorating 44 years of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence in grand fashion.
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Khan Cordice Honoured by Canadian Steelpan Federation for His Musical Contributions
Khan Cordice, a distinguished Antiguan musician and cultural ambassador, has been celebrated in Toronto for his exceptional contributions to the steelpan art form. Cordice, who serves as the Director of Culture and arranger for the Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra, was honored by the Canadian Steelpan Federation and the Pan Arts Network during a special ceremony dedicated to Caribbean musical heritage. This accolade further cements Cordice’s reputation as a globally recognized steelpan educator, arranger, and advocate for cultural development. His visit to Canada coincided with the 44th Independence Dinner and Dance hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Toronto, where he was a featured speaker alongside renowned performers, including Claudette “CP” Peters. The event highlighted the vibrant cultural ties between Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean diaspora in Canada. (Photo: Khan Cordice, second from right, with fellow honourees and event organizers in Toronto.)
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COMMENTARY: Who Helps the Helpers?
In the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Melissa, therapists, counselors, pastors, psychologists, psychiatrists, wellness coaches, and psychotherapists emerge as the unsung heroes, offering emotional support to countless survivors. However, these caregivers often carry the hidden weight of collective trauma, absorbing the pain of others while neglecting their own well-being. Research highlights that secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue can diminish the empathy and resilience that define their profession. Addressing the mental health needs of these helpers is not merely a luxury but an ethical, emotional, and professional imperative.
The journey to healing begins with intentional self-care. Trauma psychology emphasizes that sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and hydration are not mundane routines but vital biological interventions for emotional recovery. Self-care should be redefined as sacred stewardship rather than selfish indulgence. Professionals are encouraged to incorporate ‘pause points’ into their weekly schedules—moments for prayer, mindfulness, silence, or nature walks—to regulate their overstimulated nervous systems. Group check-ins and reflective supervision sessions can normalize vulnerability and reinforce the idea that healing is a communal process.
Peer-to-peer counseling and group debriefing sessions are equally crucial. These forums allow helpers to address personal challenges, whether related to family, finances, illness, or grief, in a supportive environment. Studies in positive psychology and organizational resilience demonstrate that sharing emotional burdens with trusted colleagues accelerates recovery from crisis work. Structured debriefings, story circles, or virtual ‘listening cafés’ provide safe spaces for open dialogue, fostering empathic witnessing and collective therapy. These shared rituals strengthen psychological resilience and dissolve feelings of isolation.
Creativity also plays a pivotal role in healing. Music, art, journaling, and storytelling can transform vicarious trauma into meaningful experiences. Neuroscience confirms that creative expression activates restorative neural pathways, alleviating anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Faith leaders might compose reflections or poetry on resilience, while clinicians could participate in expressive arts or reflective writing groups. By rediscovering beauty amid brokenness, healers are reminded that hope is a powerful form of resistance.
Ultimately, sustaining others requires helpers to embrace their own humanity. Self-compassion, born of experience, is essential. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, caregivers must be afforded the grace to weep, rest, and recover. As the Caribbean rebuilds its physical and emotional foundations, its healers must also reconstruct their inner well-being. Tending to oneself ensures that the lamp of service remains lit for others.
About the Author: Dr. Oswald Thomas is a distinguished clinical psychologist with over three decades of experience. He serves with the New Jersey State Department of Health and Addictions and Long Island City Psychotherapy Services. Recognized for his contributions to mental health and suicide prevention, Dr. Thomas integrates faith, science, and human resilience to help individuals and institutions thrive amid adversity.
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Call for stronger coaching, more participation in school sports
The first term of school sports in St. Lucia is nearing its conclusion, with competitions wrapping up in team sports by the second week of November, well ahead of end-of-term exams. However, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (MYDS) is grappling with challenges in raising participation levels, coaching consistency, and overall standards. Despite these hurdles, school sports coordinator Isabel Alexander-Marquis expressed satisfaction with the term’s activities, particularly highlighting the smooth scheduling of basketball and netball tournaments at the Beausejour Indoor Facility, which remained unaffected by adverse weather conditions. Nevertheless, participation rates have been a persistent issue, with only about half of the island’s 24 secondary schools involved in netball and basketball. Football, on the other hand, has seen stronger engagement, with 19 teams in the Under-16 boys’ competition and 21 in the Under-19 boys’ tournament. Alexander-Marquis attributed the low participation to staffing gaps, including a lack of dedicated coaches and limited teacher availability. She also noted that some educators may lack confidence in coaching sports, while physical education teachers often juggle multiple responsibilities. Netball coordinator Shem Maxwell echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for more schools to participate and for additional coaching support. Financial constraints and waning volunteerism have further exacerbated the staffing shortage, particularly with rising temperatures discouraging outdoor activities. Despite these challenges, both Maxwell and Alexander-Marquis observed improvements in the quality of play this year, with more competitive games and consistent progression from younger age groups to varsity levels. Alexander-Marquis urged schools to establish alumni organizations and seek support from graduates to enhance coaching, transportation, and nutrition, which could significantly boost the success of school-level and national sports programmes.
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Resilient spirit of pan – Ramesy-Moore says Panorama launch staged without government funds
The launch of Panorama 2026 at Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain on November 9 marked a vibrant celebration of Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument, the steelpan. Despite facing funding challenges, the event showcased the unifying power of pan music, drawing enthusiastic crowds and highlighting the resilience of the steelband community. Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore described the day as “a happy day,” emphasizing the joy and unity that pan brings to communities. She noted that while the event was staged without government funding, the turnout was “very good,” and the steelpan world continues to enjoy strong support. Ramsey-Moore stressed that pan is not just about the final performance but the entire journey, from community practice sessions to the grand spectacle at the Savannah. She also expressed hope for future government support, particularly for the establishment of a permanent headquarters for Pan Trinbago. The event featured performances by bands like the Royal Stars Pan Symphony and the Laventille Rhythm Section, who volunteered their time and talent. Marabella West councillor John Alibocas, attending his first town launch, praised the event’s ability to bring people together and boost the local economy. Despite the financial constraints, the launch of Panorama 2026 demonstrated the enduring spirit of Trinidad and Tobago’s steelpan culture.
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Central cops arrest 4, seize guns, ammo, ganja
In a series of coordinated operations across the Central Division, law enforcement officers have successfully apprehended four individuals and confiscated a cache of illegal firearms, ammunition, and narcotics. The operations, which spanned from November 7 to November 9, were conducted based on intelligence reports and targeted various locations within the division.
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Murdered Rio Claro businessman buried
During the funeral of Sylvan Boodan, a 58-year-old businessman tragically murdered on November 3, the officiating imam delivered a heartfelt message to the mourners gathered at his home on Tabaquite Road in Rio Claro. The funeral, streamed live on social media on November 9, became a platform for the imam to reflect on the transient nature of life and the importance of living with purpose and compassion. He emphasized that life is a one-way journey, urging attendees to make amends and live harmoniously with others while they still have the opportunity. The imam also stressed the inevitability of death, reminding everyone to prepare for the afterlife and cherish their loved ones, particularly their parents. He encouraged mourners to express their love and gratitude to their parents, as memories are the only remnants left after their passing. The body of Boodan, who was gunned down near his car in Poole Village, was laid to rest at the New Grant Cemetery. The imam’s message resonated deeply, urging everyone to live without regrets and make the most of their time on earth.
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Vigil for peace calls for unity, reflection amid regional tensions
On the evening of November 9, a modest yet diverse assembly gathered at Woodford Square in Port of Spain for a candlelight vigil advocating peace. This event coincided with Trinidad and Tobago’s annual Remembrance Day, traditionally a time to honor those who perished in World Wars I and II and other conflicts. However, this year’s vigil shifted focus to address the pressing need for peace and dialogue amidst escalating regional and political tensions. The gathering saw participation from at least ten civil society and religious organizations, including the Concerned Muslims of TT, the Emancipation Support Committee, and the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), among others. Representatives from Muslim, Hindu, and Christian communities, as well as cultural and activist groups, were present. The event was set against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical strain between the United States and Venezuela, a situation that has drawn Trinidad and Tobago into diplomatic crossfire. Recent controversial remarks by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, urging the US to ‘kill them all’ in reference to alleged drug smugglers, and her accusation that Caricom was ‘siding with Venezuela,’ added to the tension. Despite these political undertones, organizers emphasized that their involvement was not political but a collective appeal for peace. Rauold Keith Simon, shaman of the Warao Community of San Fernando, stated, ‘This is not political; this is purely spiritual… We want peace.’ However, his message carried a warning: ‘We won’t take it any more. We will fight back.’ Cacica of the Warao Nation of TT, Anicia Benjamin, offered a somber reflection on the long-term consequences of conflict, drawing parallels to the prolonged recovery periods post-World War II. Religious leaders also used the occasion to emphasize moral responsibility and collective renewal. Pandit Lloyd Mukram Sirjoo, head of the Trinidad Academy of Hinduism, urged greater spiritual engagement from citizens, lamenting the neglect of moments of prayer and reflection. JTUM reaffirmed its support for the initiative, calling for the Caribbean to remain a ‘Zone of Peace’ and warning that military escalation ‘can only be to the detriment of Caribbean people.’ The union stressed that progress ‘requires stability and peace,’ pledging solidarity with all groups advocating for calm and unity.
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Gosines on fire as Pleasantville thump Chaguanas South 12-0 in Big 5
In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, Pleasantville Secondary School delivered a crushing 12-0 victory over Chaguanas South Secondary in the quarterfinal of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Girls Big 5 competition. The match took place on November 9 at the Lewis Street grounds in San Fernando. Leading the charge was Nikita Gosine, who netted an impressive five goals, while her sister Natalia Gosine contributed a hat-trick. Kiriah Fortune and Zara Chase also made significant impacts, each scoring twice. The dominant performance has set up a semifinal clash for Pleasantville against St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain. Meanwhile, the other semifinal will feature Five Rivers Secondary against the Tobago champions. Reflecting on the victory, Pleasantville coach Brian London expressed confidence in his team’s title prospects, emphasizing their consistent relevance in the competition. Looking ahead to the semifinal, London recalled their earlier 2-1 win over St Joseph’s Convent in the season’s opening Super Cup match. He highlighted the team’s growth through rigorous training, team-bonding exercises, and participation in the Queen’s Park women’s tournament, which showcased their potential when playing their intended style of football.
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Accompong Town Starlinked
Accompong Town in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, continues to grapple with the aftermath of Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which struck nearly two weeks ago. The devastating storm has left the community without electricity and stable telephone connections, with some residents fearing these services may not be fully restored until 2026. The damage to Jamaica Public Service power lines and telecommunications infrastructure has been severe, leaving many unable to make direct calls between networks. As a result, residents are bracing for a Christmas without power in their homes, many of which were also destroyed by the hurricane. However, amidst the devastation, a glimmer of hope has emerged through the efforts of Colonel Richard Currie. Using Starlink Internet devices, Currie and his team have implemented a system to help residents stay connected with their loved ones. The initiative has already provided Internet access to Accompong Town and neighboring communities like Windsor and Siloah, where Maroon families reside. Last Wednesday, Currie and his team distributed hurricane relief packages while also setting up Starlink devices in various districts. These devices not only enabled Currie’s team to stay connected but also allowed residents to make phone calls via the Internet. During a stop in Windsor, Currie emphasized the importance of reconnecting families who had been isolated since the hurricane. He highlighted the widespread devastation and the critical need for connectivity, stating that the Starlink system has been a lifeline for many. The community has embraced the initiative, with residents gathering at a playfield near Accompong Primary and Infant School to access the Internet and recharge their devices using solar panels. Stephen Bradshaw, a local resident, praised the efforts, noting that the ability to connect with loved ones has been a source of comfort during these challenging times. Currie revealed that the Accompong Maroons began experimenting with Starlink after Hurricane Beryl last year and have since been working to expand its reach. As the community continues to recover, the Starlink initiative stands as a testament to resilience and innovation in the face of disaster.