Dominica, located in the Eastern Caribbean, is highly susceptible to extreme weather events, which are being worsened by the climate crisis. The devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017 is a clear example, as it destroyed numerous homes and structures.
The indigenous Kalinago people were particularly affected by this disaster. However, since then, community leaders have been collaborating with the United Nations to help their people become more resilient and prepare for future climate shocks.
As the 2024 session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) approaches, UN News reporter Conor Lennon met with Sylvanie Burton, the first Kalinago and first female Head of State in the country, and Lorenzo Sanford, the youngest-ever Chief of the Kalinago community. They discussed their goal of making Dominica the world’s first “climate-resilient” nation and the crucial role of young people in reviving the indigenous culture on the island.
Lorenzo Sanford, the Chief of the Kalinago community, explains that in the past, only a select few were elected as chief. However, he wanted to bring a fresh perspective by involving younger individuals, as the community has a significant youth population. This approach was supported by the community, giving Lorenzo the necessary authority to become chief.
UN News asks Sylvanie Burton about the reaction of the older generations in the Kalinago community to a young person being made chief. She responds that since the majority of the Kalinago population is made up of young people, they wanted to give them the chance to make a difference. The community rallied behind Lorenzo, giving him the necessary support to become chief.
When asked about the impact of Hurricane Maria on the Kalinago Territory, Lorenzo explains that he was on another part of the island when the hurricane hit. He had to travel back on foot through traditional trails due to blocked roads and lack of communication. He describes the devastating scene of destroyed homes and lost people, and how it was a miracle that no one in the territory died.
Sylvanie Burton shares her experience of preparing for the hurricane by calling an emergency council and evacuating the elderly to shelters. She also mentions the construction of concrete homes and buildings as part of the effort to make Dominica more resilient.
UN News highlights the importance of access to reliable information in saving lives during extreme weather events and asks how the Kalinago community is ensuring this. Sylvanie Burton explains that they are working on improving access to climate information and creating ICT hubs across the island where people can access information and take precautions before a storm hits.
The issue of funding for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to deal with the consequences of the climate crisis is brought up, and Sylvanie Burton expresses frustration with the lack of action from big polluting countries in fulfilling their promises to help. She mentions that after Hurricane Maria, many pledges were not fulfilled, and Dominica had to take out loans to become more resilient. She calls for these countries to turn their promises into action.
UN News asks Lorenzo Sanford if the accumulated folk knowledge of the Kalinago people, who have been on the island for over 500 years, has helped them adapt to the changing climate. He responds that it has allowed them to bounce back quickly, citing their indigenous practices in farming as an example. He hopes that this knowledge will be passed on to future generations to safeguard their future on the island.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.