History of the First peoples Sovereign nation

The First Peoples Sovereign Nations in Trinidad and Tobago originated from the Moruga First Peoples. Moruga which was one of the Indigenous capitals of the region due to its location between the Mainland of modern-day Venezuela and its proximity to modern day Guyana and Suriname was a hub for many of the tribes which settled Trinidad and the other Caribbean islands. The Moruga First People are descendants of these groups, with several families in Moruga and the southern part of Trinidad. Around 70 years ago, these families decided to band together to rekindle their Indigenous heritage. They maintained contact with some of their relatives in modern-day Venezuela, who were still organized as an Indigenous tribe. In a ceremony held by their relatives, they ordained Paul Navarro as Grand Chief around 1951.

The group of mixed race individuals primarily of kalinago and lokono and warao descent, but several members belonged to other tribes. In ancient times, the tribes were not strictly divided groups; there was extensive cultural exchange, intermarriage, and trade between them. In addition to the tribes native to Trinidad, the colonial powers brought members from different Caribbean islands as indentured laborers to Trinidad. As a result, the Moruga First People do not identify solely with any one group, like the Warao, but instead welcome members from all Indigenous backgrounds.

Originally, the group kept ceremonies private and did not formally register with the government until around 2012. Over time, this changed, and they began to hold public ceremonies in Moruga, work on development projects, and engage in environmental initiatives and educational endeavors to raise awareness about Indigenous people. As the only Indigenous group in Trinidad that welcomes members from all tribes, the group has grown to include people from all over Trinidad and Tobago. Today, members represent a variety of tribes, including the Warao, Kalinago, Lokono, Carina, Kapon, Chaguanese, and Nepuyo.

To better organize, Paul Navarro appointed Chiefs Michael Stephenson and Camilla Seballa, and in 2011, named Eric Lewis as Prince of Moruga, training him in language, rituals, and herbal knowledge as his successor. In 2022, Paul Navarro passed away at the age of 102, making him the oldest chief in the Caribbean. One year later, on August 9 2012, Eric Lewis was officially coronated as the new Grand Chief. Since then, he has appointed Nicole Nicolas as Chieftess for the San Rafael area and Jimmy Navarro as the new Chief for Moruga, taking over Eric Lewis’s previous responsibilities.

Today, the group seeks recognition as an equal cultural community, including the establishment of an official holiday and political representation. The group is dedicated to educating others about Indigenous history, preserving heritage through ceremonies, and maintaining traditional crafts. Additionally, they work to support the Warao community with humanitarian aid, assisting them in maintaining a traditional lifestyle. Finally, the First Peoples Sovereign Nation aims to connect and collaborate with Indigenous groups around the world.