Traditional Leadership & Modern Stewardship
Our structure honors the enduring authority of hereditary chiefs and elders while empowering specialized teams to protect our culture, lands, and future generations.
Our LeadersRicardo hernandez
Carib Chief of the Santa Rosa First PeoplesChief Ricardo Hernandez carries the responsibility of leadership with quiet strength and unwavering dedication. As the traditional and administrative head of the community, he represents the voice of the people, preserving cultural continuity while advocating for Indigenous rights at national and regional levels.
Ricardo hernandez Bio
🪶 Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez
Carib Chief of the Santa Rosa First Peoples
Arima, TrinidadChief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez is the guiding voice of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, serving as the Carib Chief since 1990. With roots deeply embedded in the Indigenous legacy of Arima, he has dedicated his life to preserving the traditions, rights, and spiritual identity of the First Peoples of Trinidad.
Under his leadership, the community has gained national and international recognition. He has played a vital role in ceremonial observances, national Indigenous celebrations, and the ongoing advocacy for land rights, reparatory justice, and educational outreach. Chief Hernandez also represents Trinidad and Tobago’s First Peoples on global platforms, including United Nations Indigenous forums, where he speaks on cultural survival and sovereignty.
Grounded, articulate, and deeply committed to his people’s path, Chief Hernandez walks in both the modern world and ancestral tradition—ensuring neither is lost.
Cristo Adonis
Spiritual Leader & Ritual GuardianCristo Adonis holds the sacred role of Shaman—guardian of ceremonies, keeper of ancestral knowledge, and spiritual bridge between realms. His leadership guides the community’s rituals, ancestral healing, and observances of the First Peoples’ sacred calendar.
Cristo Adonis Bio🔥 Cristo Adonis
Shaman / Spiritual Leader (Pyai)
Santa Rosa First Peoples CommunityCristo Adonis is the heartbeat of ancestral memory—a Shaman, healer, and spiritual guide whose work bridges the visible and the unseen. Known for his profound knowledge of bush medicine, ceremonial practice, and indigenous philosophy, Cristo plays a crucial role in maintaining the sacred balance of the community’s inner life.
His spiritual role is matched by his practical one: a hunter, parang singer, hut builder, and cultivator of traditional gardens. In a time of ecological and cultural threats, he fiercely defends Indigenous ecological knowledge—ensuring the wisdom of plants, land, and spirit remain alive for the next generation.
As the founder of Katayana—“Spirit of the Tobacco”—Cristo embraces not only the Carib way but a broader universal consciousness, drawing together ancient paths for healing, memory, and resistance. His presence is both soft and powerful, as he channels the voices of the old ones with clarity.
Queen Nona Lopez Aquan
Carib Queen of the Santa Rosa First PeopleNona Lopez Aquan is the Queen of the Santa Rosa First Peoples—a symbol of feminine strength, grace, and cultural resilience. She plays a pivotal role in upholding family lineage, ceremonial duties, and advocacy for women and children within the community.
Queen Nona Lopez Aquan Bio
đź‘‘Â Queen Nona Lopez Calderon Galera Moreno Aquan
Carib Queen of the Santa Rosa First Peoples
Crowned May 29, 2019Queen Nona Lopez Aquan embodies strength, dignity, and the enduring spirit of the Carib matrilineal line. Born August 5, 1954, she is a descendant of the original First Peoples of Arima and has dedicated her life to culture, service, and representation.
With a background in fine arts and hospitality from her time living in New York, Queen Nona returned to Trinidad to serve the community that raised her. As Carib Queen, her role is ceremonial, spiritual, and deeply communal—representing women and family within Indigenous rites and standing as a cultural ambassador during national events.
Her voice champions youth development, women’s empowerment, and ancestral reverence. Whether leading blessings, preparing meals for festivals, or mentoring young women, Queen Nona’s presence is a reminder that strength can be quiet, graceful, and deeply rooted.
