July 23, 2023
Trinidad and Tobago celebrate Independence, August 31, 2023
By Joy Osiagwu
Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean is one of the wealthiest nations on the island because of its enormous oil and gas reserves. The two-island country comprises people known as descendants of Indians and Africans.
The nation, with a population of 1.5 million, was first colonized by the Spanish and, subsequently, the British in 1934.
The country gained independence on August 31, 1962, from the British. Tourism is a significant industry for the country on the smaller island of Tobago due to its beaches and Forest Reserve. Port of Spain is an exotic capital with fanciful carnivals, indigenous cuisines, and Soca music. The languages spoken are Trinidadian English, French, Creole, Arabic, and Trinidadian Creole and Spanish.
Current Governance Structure
The country operates a parliamentary republic system of governance with Britain as the monarch, while the central government is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. Members of the cabinet and the Prime Minister report to the elected members of Parliament. Keith Rowley is the Prime Minister, while Paula-Mae
Weekes was the President of the nation from 2018-2023 and the country’s first female president and the second female leader of African Descent in the Americas.
Trending News
2023 Large Band of the Year winner, “The Lost Tribe”, said it will launch its presentation for the 2024 Carnival “Fly” at the Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook in August. In a statement, the Band of the Year winner displayed its costumes at the Sunset Theatre, a cultural arena where street parades are welcome.
TT. Loop News reports that the band leader and Creative Director, Valmiki Maharaj noted that the group is celebrating twenty years of “innovation in the Carnival industry”. “Now is the perfect opportunity to try a new approach to launching the Band,” he said.
Trinidad and Tobago – Ottawa Connection
Ottawa has a critical mass of lovely people of Trinidad and Tobago descent under the umbrella of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ottawa. The association is a non-profit organization interested in the well-being of its people and the Ottawa community. It was established in 1983. Click on the link to the website to read more about the amazing community, cultural and social programs to support the Trinidad and Tobago Community and other associations with similar community development agenda in the capital region. https://ttao.ca/about.html
You can also click on the link below to read more about the activities of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ottawa covered by the Black Ottawa Scene over the years. https://blackottawascene.com/?s=trinidad+and+tobago
Executive Committee of the Association
President: Ingrid John-Baptiste
Vice President: Dianna Pierre
Secretary: Sharon Pierre Louis
Asst. Secretary: Judy Madhosingh
Treasurer: Andrew Williams
Floor Members> Ann-Marie Bostic, Nira Dookeran, Joycelyn George-Francois