Prime Minister extends condolences on passing of Carib Queen

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has extended condolences to the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community on the passing of Carib Queen Jennifer Cassar, saying her life was a true depiction of dedication and devotion to her community and service to the people.
Cassar passed away on Thursday, at the age of 66, following a brief illness.
In a statement issued on Friday, Rowley said Cassar had “worked tirelessly to sensitise us to the role and contributions of the First Peoples Community and continuously strived to preserve and revitalise Amerindian history and traditions”.
“The Carib Queen was one of the key advocates who lobbied Government to honour a long-standing call for a one-off holiday to formally recognize her Community’s presence and contribution to our country,” he added.
Government had granted the request and the holiday was celebrated on October 13, 2017 with Queen Cassar leading a procession through the streets of Arima.
Cassar was a member of the Cabinet-appointed Amerindian Project Committee from 2007 and also a member of the Regional Carnival Committee of the National Carnival Commission with responsibility for coordinating National Stick Fighting Competitions.
She joined the Public Service of Trinidad and Tobago in 1971 and served this country for over 40 years, working in several Ministries including Education, Community Development, Culture, Sports, Health and the Judiciary. She was also a certified Home Health Care Worker.
She was elected Queen of the Santa Rosa First Peoples’ Community in 2011, succeeding Valentina Medina, and served until the time of her death.
A statement from the Santa Rosa First Peoples’ Community on Friday said Cassar would be remembered as “a very warm, humble and compassionate Queen of the Community, who worked tirelessly with the young Community members”.
Chief Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez described her passing as a great loss to the Community, especially coming on the eve of the Santa Rosa De Lima Festival on August 26, the 223rd Anniversary of the festival.
“She was indeed a Queen for our time,” she said.
Queen Cassar leaves to mourn her husband Augustin Cassar, a retired school principal and Cadet Force officer, and children Vanessa Cassar-Blakely and John Cassar.