A new project has been launched in the city of Roseau by the Society for Heritage, Architectural, Preservation & enhancement (SHAPE) Dominica, as part of the FAO Green Cities Initiative in partnership with the FAO, Ministry of Environment and the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division. This project will help encourage the return of Nature back in the city of Roseau.
 
Public Relations Officer and Vice President of SHAPE Michael Lees gave an overview of the project at the launching ceremony held this morning at Lindo Park Goodwill. Lees said the project is a collaboration with the forestry division and the Ministry of environment, made possible with funding from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Lees said they look forward to being engaged with community groups and other stakeholders. He added that just as today, they are marveled by the few remaining tamarind and mango trees on the boulevard coming to the city. Lees emphasized that future generations will be able to enjoy the shade from the trees as well as the fruits.

​PRO and Vice-President of S.H.A.P.E Dominica, Michael Lees.

On last Friday's Creole Heartbeat show, host Julie Roberts featured a discussion about health and wellness with Wai-tu-fit 360 member Natasha Yeeloy Labad, who explained what wellbeing meant to her.

Host Julie Roberts continued the conversation with the "How can we in Dominica adapt, rebuild, or re-culture our meals into our wellness package?". Mrs. Labad reacted by noting that we must first take ownership and responsibility for the part we play as individuals in our own health.

Ms. Roberts went on to suggest that we should start exposing and training our children to use local and natural foods as early as possible, so that they become accustomed to them, noting that people enjoy what they are familiar with. In addition, Mrs. Labad added that socializing and culturingchildren to appreciate the variety of local foods in the gardenis very important. 

Wai-tu-fit 360 member Natasha Yeeloy Labad
 
Natasha Yeeloy-Labad announced their journey in advocating mind, body, and soul wellness, their ‘2nd game challenge day’ called "How fit is your crew?" She added that the goal behind this initiative is to engage the family and community in traditional games of yesteryear.

The Giraudel flower site was a buzz of activity over the weekend (May 27-29, 2022) as the Morne Anglais Community Tourism Group welcomed locals and visitors to Dominica’s ‘flower basket’ and flower show launch themed the ‘Enchanted Garden’.
 
This year, a media launch, parade, Creole Brunch, and Tea Party were among the highlights. Attendees were able to sample a variety of local cuisine and confectionery while listening to Dominica's amazing Extasy band perform live. The devoted plant enthusiasts were not to be overlooked as the launch featured local blossoms and succulent plants on display and for sale, and educational sessions on farming practices by the Ministry of Blue and Green Economy, Agriculture and National Food Security.
 
“The Flower Show/Market Fair is intended to be a colourful and educational Botanic Centre where nationals and tourists can visit and experience tranquility and beauty – “Nature in Paradise” a spectacular garden of flowers and other natural products of Dominica.” - Ms. Shirley
Alexander of the Morne Anglais Community Tourism Group.
 
The Discover Dominica Authority welcomes the return of the flower show as the dates are now confirmed as October 28-30, 2022; allowing organizers to twin the flower show (as a daytime event) with Dominica’s signature event – World Creole Music Festival.

Project Manager of the Society for Heritage, Architectural, Preservation and enhancement (SHAPE) Dominica, Vanessa Prevost gave an overview of the ‘Plant it up Roseau Project’, including the FAO Green Cities Initiative. She was speaking at the launch of the project earlier this morning. She said according to the FAO website the Green Cities Initiative focuses on improving the urban environment, strengthening Urban-Rural linkages  and the resilience of urban systems, services and population to external shocks.

Prevost added that the Green Cities Initiative is looking to have 1000 cities involved by 2030, the city of Roseau is one of these cities. She then went on to give the importance of trees in the environment.

​Project Manager of S.H.A.P.E, Vanessa Prevost.

​Senator Clement Marcelin noted in Parliament yesterday, that the Virtual Asset Business Bill has tremendous potential for Dominica, as it joined two other Eastern Caribbean Currency Union members, in passing the Virtual Asset Business Bill.
 
This Act is expected to result in virtual assets, such as currency in a digital representation, of value that can be traded digitally, or transferred, and can be used for payment or investment purposes.
 
Senator Marcelin noted that this is supposed to make business cheaper, easier and faster, and allow Dominica to create a larger financial footprint.

UWP Senator Clement Marcelin.

Photo: The late Patrick John
 
Attorney at Law, Gabriel Christian says given the things that are happening in Dominica today, if Patrick John had done a fraction of what is being done now, he would have been removed from office much earlier. He was a guest on Q95’s Talk on the Block program on Monday afternoon. He added that the bad and the good done by Prime Minister Patrick John had to be examined, but most importantly, we have to look at the hypocrites that are currently in office who claim to be a Labour Party, and claim they are about democracy, but instead they are focused on persecuting the opposition.

He added that he believes Dominica needs a truth and reconciliation commission and he is very sympathetic to the defense force because he was trained by the defense force. Gabriel mentioned some of the individuals he worked with and who were shot and killed.

Attorney at Law, Gabriel Christian.

The National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) in collaboration with the Kalinago Council and Youth Development Division, has officially hosted the Kalinago Youth Assembly 2022. The main outcome of this forum was to establish a newly elected executive of the Kalinago Youth Council for 2022-2023, at its Annual Kalinago Youth Assembly held on the last Sunday of May. The incoming Executive was voted in on Sunday May 29, 2022, at the Kalinago Barana Aute’. Over twenty Kalinago youth delegates participated in the elections. The Kalinago Youth Council Executive consists of President Julia Cyrille, Vice President Adiscia, Secretary Sharyssa Helmer, Treasurer Edgar Angelo Harris, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Wanou Joseph, Public Relations Officer Giselle Francis, Events Coordinator Christie Starr Auguiste, and representative of Differently Abled Kalinago Youth, Ricky Barry. 
 
Kalinago Youth Representative, Adicia Burton and Vice President-Elect pointed out the necessity of the Kalinago Youth Council in providing significant opportunities for Kalinago Youth not only in the Kalinago Territory but Dominica to increase indigenous youth advocacy and participation on a national level. Burton stated, “The Kalinago Youth Council will definitely be integral in the development of a sustainable future for Kalinago Youth as the youth knows firsthand the challenges and vulnerabilities they face.” 
 
President of the National Youth Council of Dominica, Ashma McDougall cites this as a culmination of the engagement and empowerment plans which the NYCD Executive intended from their installation. “The revitalization of District Youth Councils, Kalinago Youth Council, National Student Council and youth organizations is the best strategy to have a united voice among young people in Dominica. We are eager to work with the Kalinago Youth Council to advocate for development challenges and to assist in effecting change for many youth within the Kalinago Territory”. The KYC is elected for a 1-year period, and hopes to address and provide solutions to issues affecting Kalinago youth in Dominica during their tenure.

Rastafarians have been right for many years and had we listened to their teachings, we would have been further ahead as a people. These are some of the sentiments of Holistic Consciousness Advocate and Trauma Surgeon Dr. Dale Dangleben, in reaction to the Prohibited and Unlawful Societies and Associations Act, also known as The Dread Act, which was enacted in 1974 in Dominica, in response to Rastafarian unrest.
 
According to that law, adherents of Rastafarianism wearing their hair in its natural state referred to as "Dreads” or locs, were subject to arrest without a warrant, were not permitted bail and could be held without charges for at least 48 hours. The law also prohibited the prosecution of any individual who killed or injured a "Dread" inside a place of residence. Prime Minister Patrick John’s Dominica Labour Party spearheaded the effort to pass the bill in the House of Assembly of Dominica. The Bill was passed unopposed by members of the Dominica Freedom Party.
 
During the years the Act was in effect, several Rastafarians were arrested, beaten and killed. Some sources also report that adherents had their dreadlocks forcibly cut off during that period, while others cut their own hair and left the movement to avoid persecution. Many Rastafarians fled into the rainforests to escape the effects of the Dread Act.

​Dominica has Joined two other Eastern Caribbean Currency Union Members in passing the Virtual Asset Business Bill. A virtual asset is a representation of currency in some environment or situation; it is a representation of value that can be traded or transferred digitally and can be used for payment or investment purposes.
 
Minister for Planning and Economic Development, Vince Henderson presented the Bill in Parliament last evening, stating that the government is staying up to date with these processes, in collaboration with the ECCB.

​Planning & Economic Development Minister, Vince Henderson.

Attorney at Law Gabriel Christian said there is no labour party in Dominica anymore. He was a guest on Q95’s ‘Talk on the Block’ program on Monday afternoon. He said the labour party of Patrick john may have lost its way, but it existed as a facet of Social Democracy back then. Christian made an illustration by saying no one ever accused Patrick John of getting wealth on the backs of poor people, but he did make some political errors.

​Christian added that as regards the so-called labour party led by Prime-Minister Skerrit and his cronies, including a head of state who is a total opportunist, who in 1979 shut down the port, the fire station, hospitals, schools among other institutions for over 100 days.

​Attorney at Law, Gabriel Christian.