Arawak Royalty Among Us

I take this opportunity to write to you in the hope of informing your readers of little known but significant recent events.

On January 1, 1999, a 25-year-old Barbadian by the name of Damon Corrie became the second most influential Amerindian leader in the CARICOM when he was elected to the position of vice-sovereign chief of the 53,000 citizens of the Pan-Tribal Confederacy of Amerindian Tribal Nations.

From what I understand the confederacy is currently comprised to a large degree of a number of Amerindian communities in Guyana as well as the Caribs of Dominica, with certain Brazilian and Venezuelan communities also represented.

It is interesting to note that Mr. Corrie is a fourth generation maternal descendant heir of Guyana's last Arawak Hereditay Paramount Chief "4th Isau Amorotahe Haubariria" - who's daughter (the sole surviving - and first christianized child) Princess Marian emigrated to Barbados in 1925 with her wealthy Dutch husband, Vivian Arnold De-Wever, and their six children (two of whom are still living here).

Shirling Normellia Corrie of the Eagle Clan Arawaks

Princess Marian died in Barbados in 1928 and is buried in Westbury Cemetery, where her grave is the only known burial site of an Arawak Royal in the Caribbean; sadly this fact is as yet still unrecognized by Barbadian authorities.

In 1995 Damon inherited the now ceremonial title of 5th Isau of the 875 remaining Eagle Clan Arawaks. For many years myself and many others who are interested in regional Amerindian affairs have been following Mr. Corrie's interesting life through articles carried in "The Nation", the "Advocate", the "Associated Press", "Caribbean Week", and broadcasts on CANA Radio, the CBU and VOB; and even on the internet.

Hatuey and Tecumseh Corrie

Princess Sabantho Aderi

As recently as January 18, history was made in Barbados again when Mr. Corrie's Eagle Clan Arawak wife gave birth to Princess Sabantho Aderi (which means 'Beautiful Little Dove') at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the first time in 700 years that an Arawak - let alone a royal one - has been born in Barbados!

I was quite surprised that there was no mention of this in the media here, the Press back in England would have pounced on such a story immediately had it happened there. Hopefully, in the future the local media will pay a little more attention to the newsworthy life of this charismatic young Barbadian/Amerindian leader.

Ryan H. Meade in the Barbados Daily Nation on March 4, 1999.

Of Historical Note:

As regards the 2001 composition of the Confederacy - 875 Lokono-Arawaks (Mahaica), 225 Akawaios (Demerara), 5,000 Wapishanas and 7,000 Makushis - or approximately 25% of Guyana's total Amerindian population inhabiting 15 of Guyana's 100 Amerindian villages; are represented by the Grand Council of Tribal Chiefs - the traditionalist government of the Confederacy.

Additionaly, 3,500 Karifuna Caribs under their new Chief Garnett Joseph have not yet either renewed or revoked the Article of Alliance signed by their previous Chief (and first Senior Chief of the Grand Council) Hillary Fredericks in 1997. Various Tribal Nations throughout Latin America have expressed interest in joining the Confederacy pending official visits by the Confederacy leadership; but as yet they remain inactive members of the Grand Council.