Former Chairman of the Kalinago Council, Louis Patrick Hill has raised concerns about recent proposals calling for the creation of a financial trust and expanded administrative authority within the Kalinago Territory, arguing that governance reforms must be accompanied by strong accountability measures.
Hill was responding to public discussions about recommendations from attorney Joel Paris, who recently advocated establishing a trust fund and greater autonomy for the Kalinago Council to strengthen indigenous economic development.
According to Hill, any discussion about transferring additional resources or responsibilities to the Kalinago Council must also address questions of transparency, oversight and institutional capacity.
He argued that governance structures should be carefully designed to ensure that public resources are managed effectively and that decisions remain accountable to the people they are intended to serve.
Hill noted that the Kalinago Territory has unique circumstances that distinguish it from other local government bodies in Dominica and said any future reforms should take those realities into consideration.
While acknowledging the importance of improving economic opportunities for Kalinago residents, he suggested that creating new financial mechanisms alone may not resolve the broader challenges facing the Territory.
The DOWASCO chairman emphasised the need for practical solutions that can deliver measurable benefits to residents while strengthening existing institutions and administrative systems.
His comments come amid a wider public debate on indigenous governance, economic empowerment and the future role of the Kalinago Council in managing development initiatives within the Territory.
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