LocationsInternational Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2026
Honouring Dominica's Indigenous Midwives
August 9, 2026
August 9 is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and this year's observance focuses on the contribution of midwives to their communities. These remarkable women have dedicated their lives to bringing new life into the world, preserving traditional knowledge, strengthening families, and caring for generations.
Dominica is home to the Kalinago people, one of the last remaining Indigenous communities in the Eastern Caribbean. UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean is pleased to join the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment in a special recognition of the extraordinary Indigenous midwives of the Kalinago Territory.
From home births to health centres and modern hospitals, they have evolved alongside Dominica's healthcare system while remaining deeply rooted in the compassion, values, and traditions that define Indigenous care.
Meet the honorees:
Mrs. Bernadette Frederick of Salybia is a distinguished retired nurse, midwife, mentor, and proud mother of two whose remarkable career in healthcare has spanned an incredible 46 years. Even after her official retirement, she continued to answer the call to serve, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Dominica.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Frederick served with distinction at the Princess Margaret Hospital and within the Salybia, Castle Bruce, Marigot, and San Sauveur Health Districts. She further strengthened her expertise through advanced studies in Barbados, qualifying as a Nurse Health Visitor, where she made significant contributions to community health promotion and disease prevention.
Beyond her clinical work, Mrs. Frederick became an exceptional mentor, helping to shape the careers of many young nurses and healthcare professionals. As a master trainer, she inspired and guided countless practitioners, including respected nurses such as Hyacinth and Ann Timothy. She often credits her own sister, Nurse Delia John, herself a nurse, as the mentor who inspired and guided her own professional journey.
Mrs. Frederick's personal motto captures a lifetime of service: "My passion for serving people lives beyond my call of duty."
Those words are reflected in every life she touched, every family she supported, and every healthcare professional she mentored. Her extraordinary service, leadership, and commitment have left an enduring legacy that will continue to benefit generations to come.
Mrs. Bernadette Sanderson of Atkinson, a devoted mother of one, began her nursing career in 1984 and has dedicated more than four decades to providing compassionate, professional, and selfless healthcare to the people of Dominica.
Throughout her distinguished career, she faithfully served within the Castle Bruce and Marigot Health Districts, where she became known for her calm demeanor, unwavering dedication, and commitment to delivering quality healthcare. Her reassuring presence brought comfort to countless patients and families during some of life's most important moments.
Although officially retired, Mrs. Sanderson continues to serve on contract at the Atkinson Health Center, a testament to her deep love for nursing and her enduring commitment to her community. Living directly opposite the Health Center, she has affectionately earned the title of the community's "24-7 nurse," with residents knowing she is always willing to answer the call whenever help is needed.
Her personal motto beautifully reflects the spirit of her life's work: "My passion and dedication is taking care of persons to restore health and save lives."
These are not simply words. They are the principles by which Mrs. Sanderson has lived and served throughout her remarkable career.
Mrs. Doreen Ettienne of Gaulette River is a devoted mother of five and a retired Registered Midwife whose remarkable career in healthcare spanned 38 years, from 1982 to 2020.
Throughout her distinguished service, she was stationed at the Mahaut River Health Center, providing dedicated care to the residents of Mahaut River, Gaulette River, and Sineku, while extending compassionate maternal and child healthcare to families throughout the Kalinago Territory.
Renowned for her unwavering commitment to mothers and children, Mrs. Ettienne played an instrumental role in safely bringing hundreds of Kalinago children into the world. At the same time, she offered comfort, guidance, reassurance, and unwavering support to mothers and families during some of life's most precious moments. Her selfless dedication, tireless work ethic, and compassionate spirit earned her the trust, admiration, and respect of generations within the community.
Mrs. Ettienne lived by a powerful personal mantra: "Kill the nurse and save the people."
While striking in its wording, these words reflect a profound commitment to selfless service, placing the health and well-being of her patients above her own comfort and convenience. It is a philosophy that defined her career and inspired all who had the privilege of working alongside her.
Affectionately known as Nurse Paris or Teacher Sylvie, Mrs. Sylvie Rosalind Paris-Warrington of Crayfish River is a proud mother of six and a distinguished retired Primary Care Nurse and Midwife whose remarkable healthcare career spanned more than two decades.
After qualifying in Primary Care Nursing and Midwifery at the Dominica School of Nursing in the 1980s, she dedicated her life to serving the people of the Kalinago Territory and surrounding communities. From 1984 to 2007, she served with distinction in the Salybia Health District, providing compassionate primary healthcare and midwifery services to mothers, newborns, families, and the wider community.
Throughout her career, Nurse Paris safely delivered countless babies and responded to the healthcare needs of her community with unwavering dedication. Whether by day or in the middle of the night, and often under difficult conditions, she answered the call to care for mothers and patients whenever she was needed.
Her commitment to service was marked by great personal sacrifice. While raising six children of her own, she balanced the demands of family life with the responsibilities of caring for others, relying on the support of her mother and extended family as she faithfully served her community.
Nurse Paris earned the trust, admiration, and gratitude of generations of Kalinago families through her compassion, professionalism, and willingness to serve beyond the call of duty. Her contribution to maternal and community healthcare has left a lasting legacy throughout the Salybia Health District and the wider Kalinago Territory.
Her guiding motto beautifully reflects a lifetime of service: "To serve with compassion is to leave a legacy of care."
Ms. Porshia Burton of Crayfish River is a dedicated healthcare professional and proud mother of five whose career has been defined by compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
Since beginning her nursing career in 2007, Ms. Burton has faithfully served communities across Dominica, gaining valuable experience at the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Psychiatric Unit in Roseau, the Winston Ward Pediatric Unit, and the Laplaine, Castle Bruce, and Marigot Health Districts.
In 2012, she successfully completed her Midwifery training, further strengthening her commitment to maternal and child healthcare. Since then, she has continued to provide quality care to mothers, newborns, and families, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.
Her personal philosophy speaks to the heart of her vocation: "My passion has always been to serve my people."
Those words are reflected in her dedication to safe motherhood, family health, and community care. Through her professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence, Ms. Burton continues to make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of families within the Kalinago Territory and across Dominica.
Mrs. Winnie Joseph of Crayfish River is celebrated for her dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the people of the Kalinago Territory. Her nursing journey began at the age of 23 as a student nurse, and she went on to dedicate 19 years to the nursing profession, serving primarily at the Salybia Health Centre while also providing care at the Castle Bruce Health District.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Joseph exemplified compassion, professionalism, and a deep sense of responsibility in caring for individuals and families during some of life's most important moments. She made significant contributions to maternal and community healthcare, providing quality care, guidance, and reassurance to countless patients. Her calm and caring nature, combined with her unwavering commitment to excellence, earned her the respect and appreciation of colleagues and the communities she faithfully served.
As the proud mother of five children, Mrs. Joseph balanced the responsibilities of motherhood with the demanding role of caring for others. For her, nursing was more than a profession. It was a calling rooted in love for her community and a sincere desire to see its people healthy and thriving.
Her guiding philosophy is beautifully expressed in her own words: "My heart's joy is to serve, to see sick people get well and well people remain well, particularly in the Kalinago Territory."
These words reflect the compassion, dedication, and purpose that defined her years of service and continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.
We proudly honour these women for their dedicated service, commitment to maternal and community healthcare, and the positive impact they continue to make in the lives of countless families - a lasting legacy within the Kalinago Territory and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
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