Kibe’kuati Inc. is a registered non government organisation (NGO) based in the Kalinago Territory of Dominica (company number 2021/C0029). It’s members are Kalinago and represent a broad spectrum of professions, experience, and expertise.
In the Kalinago language, kibe’kuati means ‘that which multiplies’. This is the broad premise of the organisation – to help and support individuals and communities with small, sustainable, and connected projects that have the potential to grow.
To get in touch with us, please email: kibekuati@gmail.com
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About Dominica’s Kalinago
The Kalinago people of Dominica originally came from the South American mainland, probably from the Orinoco River area. They were the final wave of thousands of years of migration to the islands of the Lesser Antilles before Europeans arrived at the end of the 15th century. Where native people on other islands perished because of the weaponry and diseases brought by European colonists, Dominica’s Kalinago combined fighting spirit, inherited knowledge, and the dense forests of the island to survive. Today, the majority of their descendants live in a semi-autonomous territory in the east of Dominica.
21st century life in the Kalinago Territory is, for many, still a matter of survival. Although some Kalinago beat the odds and succeed as professional people such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, and so on, the majority are forced to eke a living however they can, often from subsistance farming, fishing, or tourism – upon which Dominica is becoming increasingly dependent. Poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and social issues such as alcoholism among underemployed men are real problems.
The Kalinago are, however, resilient and proud people. Many are skilled artisans, making traditional basket ware, carving intricate and ornate calabash shells, building fishing canoes, baking cassava bread, and so on.
Although we recognise the importance of tourism to the Kalinago Territory and the country as a whole, we at Kibe’kuati would like to help the Kalinago people become less dependent on it, and develop personal skills, small businesses, and community interconnectedness so that they can also prosper in other areas. We believe this will encourage Dominica’s Kalinago to be more able to empower themselves and thereby achieve a greater feeling of independence. More diverse and sustainable forms of work and lifestyle will also help to build pride, community spirit, and cultural awareness.
We have learned from the ‘banana boom’ of the late 20th century that people simply need opportunity, but that such opportunity has to be diverse and sustainable. Providing such opportunity to Dominica’s Kalinago is our aim.
EXECUTIVE OF KIBEKUATI INC
Chief Executive Officer
Anette Thomas- Sanford: Chief Executive Officer and founder of Kibekuati Inc. She was born and raised in the Kalinago Territory. Anette became a Registered Nurse in 2007 and served for 10 years , She holds a Bachelors in Nursing and a post graduate certificate in Health care Administration. She served as a Senator in the house of Parliament Dominica from 2019- 2022. She now serves as a clinical instructor at the Dominica State College within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
DIRECTOR
Claudius Sanford : Holds a Bachelors in Economics and management from the University of the West Indies and a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Economics from the University of Arkansas. He served as a senator in the House of Parliament in Dominica for seven years from 2005- 20011. He was born and raised in the Kalinago Territory.
DIRECTOR
Kitchener Laville: Is a retired School Principal. He served on the Atkinson Village council as chairperson for one term from 2006 to 2013. He is a community leader and is engaged in multiple community projects within the Kalinago Territory, Atkinson and Antrisle.