Historic Victory in the Kalinago Territory: Anette Sanford Calls for Community Unity
In a groundbreaking election concluded on Monday, Anette Sanford emerged as the chief-elect of the Kalinago Territory, emphasizing the need for community cooperation. “Let us work together and prioritize the Kalinago Territory above all else. We should rise above our political differences and focus on nurturing our community. As your leader, I am here to support you in achieving our shared goals,” Sanford stated.
Sanford’s election victory was substantial, garnering 692 votes and surpassing her closest rival, Natasha Green, who received 272 votes. This victory marks a historic moment, making Sanford the first woman ever elected as the Kalinago Chief, a development that has surprised many in the Kalinago Territory.
In her victory address, Sanford assured her supporters, “I promise that I will work diligently and keep my commitments.”
A trained nurse, Sanford had previously run for office under the United Workers Party (UWP) in Dominica’s 2019 general elections after the initial candidate withdrew. Despite a strong effort, she lost to the Dominica Labour Party candidate by a margin of 265 votes.
In the same electoral cycle, she contested the Kalinago Chief elections but narrowly lost to Lorenzo Sanford by just three votes, a result marred by rejected ballots, with nine of her votes disqualified.
On February 10, 2020, Sanford made history by being sworn in as one of four UWP senators, becoming the first Kalinago woman to hold a Senate position in Dominica’s House of Assembly.
Leading up to the recent elections, there was intense speculation regarding the competitiveness of the race between Sanford and entrepreneur Natasha Green. In her victory speech, Sanford confidently predicted her win by a margin of 300 votes, reaffirming her commitment to the community: “And we did it!”
Historically, the Chief of the Kalinago Territory has played a vital role in unifying the community. Chiefs, traditionally designated by Elders for specific tasks such as hunting or fishing, were not empowered beyond these missions, reflecting the close-knit nature of Kalinago social structures prior to European contact.
