The Carib Queen has died
(Trinidad Express) Carib Queen Jennifer Cassar of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community has died.
Cassar, 66, died on Thursday.
Arima mayor Lisa Morris-Julian extended condolences on behalf of the Arima Borough Corporation.
Morris-Julian said the loss of Cassar was a blow to Arima’s foundation which is rooted on the contributions of the First Peoples.
She said the council laments the loss of a phenomenal woman who was of Carib descent.
“The council is thankful that she assisted in extensive work to keep persons of First Peoples lineage untied and thriving in the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community. It recognises her decades of labour which assisted to create a space in the Borough where the first Peoples are acknowledged and respected” she said.
Last year, the Government allowed for a one-off public holiday for the First Peoples Community, where Morris-Julian said the late Carib Queen was instrumental in her contributions to the festivities held during the Arima Fest celebrations, the Santa Rosa Festival and the First People’s Heritage Week.
In April 2009, Cassar represented the Santa Rosa First Peoples Carib Community at the 3rd Indigenous Leaders’ Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama in April of 2009.
Education Minister and Arima Member of Parliament Anthony Garcia also extended condolences on the passing of Cassar.
In a statement, Garcia referred to Cassar as a symbol of strength, will and power within the community.