The Dominica Council on Ageing has honoured the island's 15 centenarians, describing them as living treasures whose lives carry a century of national history, wisdom and resilience. The tribute was led by the council's president, Josephine Dublin Prince, in a message marking Centenarian Day on Tuesday.
Dublin Prince said the centenarians represent far more than advanced age, pointing to the depth of experience they hold as witnesses to Dominica's social and cultural evolution. Their lives, she suggested, are a bridge between generations and a source of guidance for younger Dominicans.
The council's recognition places the spotlight on a small group of elders whose personal histories stretch back across the decades, through periods of change in Roseau and the parishes, and through the island's shared milestones. In a country where community ties remain strong, centenarians are often regarded as custodians of memory, oral tradition and family knowledge.
Centenarian Day provides an annual occasion for the council to draw public attention to the contributions of older citizens and to the wider issue of ageing in Dominica. The council has consistently advocated for respect, care and inclusion for the elderly, and Tuesday's message reinforced that mission.
By naming the centenarians living treasures, the council framed their longevity as a national asset rather than a private matter. The phrase carries particular weight in a small island society where elders frequently anchor extended families and pass on kweyol heritage, customs and stories that might otherwise fade.
The tribute also serves as a reminder of the practical needs that accompany advanced age, including health support, family care and social connection. While the council's message was celebratory, it underscored the importance of ensuring that older Dominicans continue to live with dignity and recognition.
No public ceremony details or individual names of the centenarians were released in the council's message, which focused on collective appreciation. The council's president used the occasion to thank the centenarians for their endurance and to encourage Dominicans to value their elders throughout the year, not only on designated days.
The observance of Centenarian Day forms part of a broader effort by the Dominica Council on Ageing to keep the concerns and contributions of the elderly visible in national life. As Dominica's population ages, the council's work touches on care, advocacy and intergenerational solidarity.
Tuesday's message closed with a call for continued respect for the island's oldest citizens, whose stories remain part of the country's living record. For the council, the 15 centenarians are not simply statistics but individuals whose century-long journeys deserve public honour.
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