Carib Territory in Dominica

Carib Council

The Nature Island of Dominica expresses its pride of still being the home its indigenous people; the Carib Indians, who from as early as 1953 became part of the local government system. In 1978, the same year that the country gained its independence from the United Kingdom, the roles and powers of the Carib Chief and the Carib Council were defined by an Act which was instituted particularly for the Carib Reserve (a special portion of land set aside only for Carib Indian descendants).

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Traditionally, the Dominica Carib Indians were lead by a Chief, known as Oubutu, who was charged with the general well being of the people while other leaders who possessed special spiritual and healing qualities were given special duties.

Today, this system has been further developed to suit a more contemporary form of government, and hence, the Dominica Carib Council is not considered to be just another part of Local Authority. It functions as the official representative of the Carib people, and was established with the objective of governing, managing and controlling the affairs of the Carib Territory in Dominica on behalf of its residents.

The Council of the Carib Territory consists of seven members, that is, the person elected as Carib Chief and six other elected members. In the event that an insufficient number of members are elected, or if no one is elected, or offers himself for election, the Prime Minister is capable of nominating as many additional members as may be required to constitute the Carib Council. Each councilor is responsible for the five main divisions which include: Tourism, Hand Craft, Cultural Development and Special Events, Health, Social and Gender Affairs, Community Development, Education, Public Relations and Research, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Sports and Youth Affairs.

One of the Dominica Carib Council’s main functions is to provide financial resources authorized by law, to be allocated towards various projects for infrastructural development and education, which would help to enhance and improve the quality and life style of its people. Part of the Carib Council’s duty also involves the construction and maintenance of village roads, water supplies, health centers, playing fields, public conveniences and community centres. The Dominica Carib council ensures that the Carib community is kept in proper sanitary conditions, while serving as Central Government’s agent for the distribution of public assistance to indigent community members, and a channel via which information on Central Government policies and programs are conveyed to the local community. Disputes amongst the residents of the Dominica Carib Reserve may be settled, but judicial cases cannot be held and fines cannot be charged.

The Carib Council in Dominica must have an office in the Reserve and an official seal, while any vested powers, authorities, interests, rights, immunities and privileges as constituted immediately before the Carib Council’s commencement will be given to the presently acting Carib Council. Three days before any general election is held, the Carib Council must be dissolved. The election date is set by the Chief Elections Officer, and must not be more than forty-five days after the outgoing Carib Council’s term of office has been terminated.

Meetings are held at least once every month, as may have been established according to the laws of the Carib Council in Dominica, or whenever convened by the Chairman. A meeting may also be summoned by the Chairman in the event that any three members present a written request to him. A quorum for the transaction of business may be formed by any three members of the Carib Council, decisions will be taken by a majority of votes of the members, and no act or proceeding of the Council or any of its committees shall be questioned on account of the vacancy of any member.

The Carib Council in Dominica may also appoint persons resident within the boundaries of the reserve, and establish as many committees as deemed necessary, while the Prime Minister reserves the right to request the appointment of persons that he considers suitable to serve as advisers to the Council according to the terms and conditions that may have been agreed with the Carib Council. A minute of the proceedings of the Carib Council or a committee must be kept, signed at the same or next ensuing meeting by the Chairman or by a member of the committee describing himself as or appearing to be Chairman of the committee.

Very strict qualification requirements have been put in place for the acceptance of persons as members on the Carib Council in Dominica. First of all, in order to qualify to be elected as members, candidates must be citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica, have attained the age of eighteen years, be able to proficiently read and speak the English language, must be competently capable of actively participating in the proceedings of the Council, and be residents of the Carib Reserve.

Additionally, the Carib Council reserves the right to disqualify any member if and while he is illiterate, that is, cannot speak, read or write English, is a minister of religion, is no longer resident in the Reserve, holds any office or place of profit in the gift or disposal of the Council, is an undischarged bankrupt, suffers from any mental disorder, has directly or indirectly by himself or his partner, or any person in his employ, any share or interest in any contract or employment with, by or on behalf of the Council. A member of the Dominica Carib Council is free to resign his seat by giving fourteen days’ notice in writing to the Chief.

Following the election of the new Chief, he is elected as Chairman of the Carib Council and maintains this position for as long as he remains Chief. As Chairman, the Chief presides at meetings and exercises the powers that are assigned to him by the Council. He also has an original vote, and a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes.

The DominicaCarib Council, though may from time to time may confront challenges, continues to be a major force in ensuring proper governance and order among the Carib people, while at the same time it seeks to preserve true Carib customs in a time when the world is rapidly becoming a global community.