The National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago acknowledge
the involvement of citizens and non-nationals who have had a significant
and positive impact on the twin island Republic. The awards which were
instituted in 1969 have been presented yearly in four categories, they
are:
• The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (replaced the Trinity Cross as the Highest Award)
•The Trinity Cross (Last awarded in 2005)
• The Chaconia Medal
• The Humming Bird Medal
• The Public Servants’ Medal of Merit
ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Order of the Republic Trinidad and Tobago
The
Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was installed as Trinidad
and Tobago’s highest national award in 2008 and replaced the Trinity
Cross for distinguished and outstanding Service to Trinidad and Tobago.
The
design of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago acknowledges
the contribution of the first inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago
embodied in the crest surmounting the medallion. The waves and
constellation tell the story that Trinidad and Tobago consist of people
from all over the world and their descendants, bringing social and
cultural attributes to produce a special, talented people with great
potential.
The award is 18 carat yellow gold and hangs from a
short-length, striped gros-grain ribbon in the national colours, red,
white and black. On the front of the award there are three circles each
encompassing a feature of the National Symbols of Trinidad and Tobago,
with a crest at the top. Within the crest is a feathered head dress of
an Amerindian chief, which represents the aboriginal culture of the twin
island.
The centre of the design features a disc, upon which the
familiar image of one of our national birds, the Scarlet Ibis is
standing on the south- western peninsula of Trinidad and the Mot Mot
perched on the image of Tobago both imposed in bas-relief. At the top of
the circle is the Chaconia Flower, the National flower of Trinidad and
Tobago. In the middle circle there is a display of twelve outer notes of
a tenor pan. On the notes are a pair of pan sticks. The steel pan is
placed on the award as it is the National instrument of the twin island
republic. Within the third and outer circle are images which represent
the sea and sky. Waves at the bottom represent the sea whilst the sky is
represented via clusters of star shapes and fine granulation.
On the back of the award, the words “Order of the Republic” are engraved.
The
name of the Society to replace the Order of the Trinity is The
Distinguished Society of Trinidad and Tobago and the initial O.R.T.T. is
to be used by future holders of this award, after their names.
The
Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is only awarded in gold
and is limited to five recipients each year, though the number may be
less.
In 2008, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
was awarded to the following recipients for Distinguished and
Outstanding Service to Trinidad and Tobago in the Steelpan Development.
• Professor Brian Copeland
• Mr. Bertram “Bertie” Lloyd Marshall Steelpan Innovator
• Mr. Anthony Williams Steelpan Innovator
In
order to be nominated for an award, a “Nomination for a National Award”
form must be filled out. Forms and more information about nomination
submission can be obtained at The Office of The Prime Minister, Tobago
House of Assembly and City and Town Halls.
THE MEDAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN
The
Medal for the Development of Women will be awarded for the first time
this year. It is to be granted to individuals, for their contribution
to the development of women's rights and issues. Like the other
medals, with the exception of the Order of The Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago, the Medal for the Development of Women may be awarded in
gold, siver and bronze to a maximum of ten persons a year.
The Proposed Criteria for the National Award for the Medal for the Development of Women
The award categories and the corresponding criteria for those awards are as follows:
CATEGORY 1: Nominations for Award in respect of a person:
Candidates
must demonstrate innovation in the promotion of gender equity for no
less than ten (10) years through the promotion of:
• Gender equality in the work place.
• The elimination of all forms of discrimination against women by the promotion of gender equity.
• Legislative and cultural reform to ensure gender equity.
• Institutional mechanisms for the advancements of women.
• Economic
empowerment by: Overcoming marginalization, oppressive social norms
access and rights to resources; Offering women choices and
opportunities; and Encouraging women to fulfill their potential
• Education- based programs, initiatives or personal action in the empowerment of women; and
• Entrepreneurial activities
CATEGORY 2: Nomination for reward in respect of Organizations
Corporations/
Organizations must demonstrate innovation in the promotion of gender
equity for no less than ten (10) years through:
• The empowerment
of women through initiatives, policies (procurement, hiring, training,
etc.) or corporate social responsibility.
• Outstanding contributions
to women’s organizations that support soc-economic empowerment and/or
through achievement in the corporate world.
DESIGN:
The
medal consists of three parts: a medallion to which is attached a bar
and winged shaped which partially surrounds the medallion and is hinged
to it.
THE SYMBOLS:
1. Women’s symbol- ( This symbol for the planet Venus is used in Biology for the female sex
and
is a stylized representation of Venus’ hand mirror. Generally it is a
circle with a small equilateral cross underneath.) In this drawing it
occupies the centre of the medal and its cross quadrisect the map of
Trinidad and Tobago.
2. A Globe- representing the world is contained within the circle of the symbol.
3. A
winged Form- articulated and suspended from the central disc is a
stylized winged shaped element whose radial sections are defined in bas
relief.
THE TRINITY CROSS 
The
Trinity Cross was the highest National Award in the twin island
Republic. On June 5, 2008 the Trinity Cross was replaced by the Order of
the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinity Cross was granted to
nationals and non-nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who portrayed
distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago. It is also
awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy, or for gallant conduct.
The identifying colour on the Borders of Ribbons for this medal is
gold.
The recipients of the first Trinity Cross Gold were:
• Dr. Rudranath Capildeo for his contribution in the sphere of Science.
• Ellis Clarke (Sir) - C.M.G., Q.C. who drafted the Constitution of Independent Trinidad and Tobago
•
Solomon Hochoy (His Excellency Sir) - G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., O.B.E. The
then Governor General and Ex-Officio of Trinidad and Tobago
• Finbar Ryan (His Excellency Count) - O.P. in the sphere of religion as he was the then Archbishop of Port of Spain.
• Hugh Wooding (The Right Honourable Sir) - P.C., C.B.E., Q.C. For his contribution to Justice as he was the then Chief Justice
To see a full list of award recipients for all awards click
here.
CHACONIA MEDAL The
Medal was aptly named after the Chaconia flower, which is the National
Flower of Trinidad and Tobago and coincidentally blooms annually around
August 31, just in time for Independence Day. It was first awarded in
1969 on the introduction of National Awards in Trinidad and Tobago. The
identifying colour on the border of the ribbon for this medal is light
green.
The Medal, which is awarded in gold, silver and bronze is
awarded to persons who have served the country in the field of social
work. It is awarded to community workers in respective organizations who
have promoted community spirit and national welfare through their long
and meritorious service. The Chaconia Medal is awarded to a maximum of
ten persons.
HUMMING BIRD MEDALTrinidad's
indigenous name was Cairi or Kairi but often written Iere. Iere, which
actually is an Arawakan terms that means "the island", was thought by
many to mean, “The Land of the Humming Bird”. The Humming Bird, one
of the National birds of the Island, is also represented through this
medal. The identifying colour on the borders of ribbon for this medal is
Royal Blue.
The Humming Bird Medal is awarded to persons in the
private or public sector for loyal and devoted service to their
community and country. Additionally, the medal, which is awarded in
gold, silver and bronze to a maximum of fifteen persons, may also be
presented to persons for their gallantry or any other heroic action.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL OF MERITThe
Public Service Medal of Merit is awarded to the members of the Civil
and Protective Services. This Medal also includes recipients from the
Defence and Cadet Forces, members of Statutory Boards and Committees of
other quasi Public Services.
The Medal is awarded in gold, silver
and bronze. The Gold medal is awarded to persons who have shown
outstanding and meritorious service. The Silver Medal is awarded for
long and meritorious service and the Bronze Medal is presented for good
conduct and long service.
The identifying colours of the borders of ribbon are:
Gold Medal - Purple
Silver Medal - Light Blue
Bronze Medal - Silver
http://www.news.gov.tt/index.php?news=455
National
Awards were first granted in 1969, seven years after Trinidad and
Tobago gained its independence from Britain. These awards are presented
to commemorate the Anniversary of our Independence.
The
Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was installed as Trinidad
and Tobago’s new highest national award 2008 and replaces the Trinity
Cross for Distinguished and Outstanding Service to Trinidad and Tobago.
The
Trinity Cross is awarded to persons who have rendered distinguished and
outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago. It is also awarded for
gallantry in the face of the enemy, or for gallant conduct.
The
Chaconia Medal - Gold, Silver and Bronze - is limited to ten (10
recipients each year, though the number may be less. It is awarded to
persons for work in the social field: to community workers in all
organizations which promote community spirit and national welfare, for
long and meritorious service to the country or the community in their
respective organizations.
The
Hummingbird Medal - gold, silver and bronze - is limited to fifteen
(15) recipients each year, though the number may be less. It is awarded
to persons in the private or public sector, who have rendered loyal and
devoted service in their respective fields, for the benefit or prestige
of the community, or Trinidad and Tobago. It is also awarded for
gallantry or other outstanding humane action.
The
Public Service Medal of Merit in gold, silver and bronze, is awarded to
members of the Civil Service and Protective Services, including the
Defence and Cadet Forces, members of Statutory Boards and Committees of
other quasi Public Services.
The
Gold Medal is awarded for outstanding and meritorious service, while
the Silver Medal is awarded for long and meritorious service. The Bronze
Medal is awarded for good conduct and long service of 12 years, while
the Bronze Medal with one hexalphas, is awarded for service of 18 years.