Chief of the Carib Territory


The Chief of the Carib Territory presides over the Carib Council, the local government of the Carib Territory. The position is the equivalent of a village council chairperson elsewhere in Dominica. Beginning in the late 20th century, Carib Chiefs have also acted as a representative of the Carib Territory to other indigenous populations in the Caribbean region, and have worked with organizations including the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
Historically, the Chief was the leader of the Caribs or Kalinago, the indigenous inhabitants of Dominica. Under British colonialism, the title was officially recognized as a ceremonial position beginning in 1903, when the Carib Reserve was established. The colonial governor endowed the Carib Chief with a silver-headed staff and a sash embroidered with "The Chief of the Caribs" in gothic lettering. Colonial authorities suspended the position in 1930 after "The Carib War," a brief, but violent, civil disturbance. The position of Chief was finally reinstated in 1953, as part of an island-wide system of local council government.
NamePeriod
Thomas "Indian" Warner1667–74
Petit FrançoisServed sometime in the first half of the 18th century
WakanikServed in the middle half of the 18th century
JosephServed sometime in the period 1850–75
BrunieServed sometime in the period 1875–1900
Auguiste FrançoisServed during the period when the Carib Reserve was officially established by the British government
Jules Benjamin Corriette1916–26
Thomas "Jolly" John1926–30
Simon John1930
Office suspended1930–52
Whitney Frederick1953–59
Jermandois Francis1959–72
Masclem Frederick1972–75
Faustulus Frederick1975–79
Hilary Frederick1979–84, 1994–98
Irvince Auguiste1984–94
Garnet Joseph1998–2004
Charles Williams2004–09
Garnet Joseph2009–2014
Charles Williams2014–present