Trinidadian conservationist Heather-Dawn Herrera is embarking on Expedition Kalinago, a groundbreaking 70-day walking journey, totalling approximately 320 miles and spanning 12 Caribbean islands, from T&T to St Kitts.
This expedition will be following the route of the First Peoples, namely the Kalinago (Carib), as they migrated north along the eastern Caribbean.The launch date will be September 2 at the landing point in Moruga, south Trinidad.
"On this trip, three descendants of the First Peoples–including myself–will be showing examples of how our ancestors lived, the ways in which they were very mindful of the conservation of our natural environment wherever they settled," Herrera said in a release.
Herrera has received the Hummingbird Silver medal as well as the Green Leaf award for her work in this field.Curator of the Moruga museum, Eric Lewis will also accompany Herrera on the walk.
"First Peoples archaeological and cultural sites will also be visited during the walk on each island," Lewis said. "We will examine any artifacts and use the information we gather to try to piece together the puzzle of a journey that took place long ago.
Members of the group have all been part of local recorded history as participants in an earlier expedition east to west along the crest of the Northern Range, a second around the Northern Range and a third around the entire island of Trinidad. These expeditions were undertaken in the name of preservation and conservation.
"We are also very happy to have the endorsement of the Santa Rosa First People's Community in Arima," Herrera said.
"The third expeditionist is Raymond Hernandez, son of the founder of the Santa Rosa First People's Community, Zita Hernandez.