Pont Casse Press has launched a new digital platform dedicated to sharing the history, literature, and cultural heritage of Dominica, the Caribbean, and the African diaspora.
A press release from the organization states that the Press was founded on August 1, 1992, by Dr. Irving W. André and Gabriel J. Christian, Esq. Its establishment was marked by the publication of In Search of Eden: Dominica—The Travails of a Caribbean Mini-State, reflecting the founders’ commitment to documenting Dominica’s history and ensuring that Dominicans and Caribbean people tell their own story.
The Press’s motto is “Publishing the Soul of Dominica,” while the newly launched PontCassePress.org advances its mission of “making the record.”
The website was designed by Elize Royer, a 2026 graduate of Penn State University.
As Pont Casse Press marks 34 years since its founding, the founders expressed gratitude to their parents, families, teachers, supporters, and God for sustaining the Press over the years. They also recognized their wives, Kathy André and Joan Christian, for their enduring support and sacrifice.
The Press’s catalogue covers subjects including Indigenous resistance, slavery, independence, identity, migration, law, religion, sport, literature and Caribbean nationhood. It also includes works on Dominican leaders, judges, soldiers, migrants, athletes and writers.
“A people without access to its history is placed at an enormous disadvantage,” said Dr. André. “This website makes the Dominican experience more accessible to our children, diaspora and all who wish to understand our history.”
According to the release, the Kalinago people occupy a central place in Pont Casse Press’s presentation of Dominica’s history, with particular attention to their resistance, survival and continuing presence.
“The Kalinago were here before the colonial flags were planted, and they remain part of the living soul of Waitukubuli,” said Gabriel J. Christian. “Their struggle for dignity must occupy an honored place in Dominican history.”
The Press also places Dominica within the broader history of Africa and its global diaspora, including the impacts of enslavement, forced migration, Indigenous survival, imperialism, emancipation and independence.
The founders said the PontCassePress.org is intended to serve students, teachers, researchers, journalists, libraries, universities and the global Dominican and Caribbean diaspora. Its catalogue connects Dominican history across the Caribbean, Britain, France, Africa, North America and Latin America.
More than 30 years after its founding, Pont Casse Press said it is entering the digital era with the same conviction: “We must make the record.”
“The website is new, but the duty is ancient,” André and Christian said. “We will continue recording Dominica and the Caribbean in our own voice while advancing dignity, knowledge, freedom and justice.”
