Froyla Tzalam

Dame Froyla Tzalam, GCMG, is a Belizean Mopan Maya anthropologist and community leader, who has served as the Governor-General of Belize since 27 May 2021.

Her Excellency Dame
Froyla Tzalam
GCMG
Tzalam in 2022
3rd Governor-General of Belize
Assumed office
27 May 2021
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime MinisterJohnny Briceño
Preceded bySir Colville Young
Personal details
BornSan Antonio, Toledo
SpouseDaniel Mendez[1]
Children2[2]
Alma materTrinity University
University of Sussex

She is the first indigenous person of Maya descent to serve as governor-general of any country in the history of the Commonwealth.[3][4]

Education

Tzalam is from the village of San Antonio, Toledo. She graduated with a BA in Anthropology from Trinity University, Texas. This was followed by a MA in Rural Development from University of Sussex.[5]

Career

She was the executive director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM).[6]

Tzalam was shortlisted for nomination to the Senate in January 2017, but declined in order to concentrate on her work with SATIIM.[7]

Governor-General of Belize
Viceregal styles of
Dame Froyla Tzalam
(2021–present)
Reference styleHer Excellency
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Dame Froyla meeting Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, in London, 2022

It was announced on 22 April 2021 by Prime Minister of Belize John Briceno that she was nominated to be the next Governor-General of Belize following the retirement of Colville Young.[8] She is the third Governor-General and the second woman appointed to the role.

On 21 March 2022, she was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by HRH The Prince of Wales during their Royal Tour.[9][10][11]

References
  1. "Prime Minister John Briceño Independence Day Address 2021".
  2. https://www.facebook.com/MHDFIPA/posts/1645879845801660
  3. First Woman of Maya Descent Elected as Governor – General in the Commonwealth
  4. Congratulatory Outpouring for GG Froyla T'zalam
  5. "froyla tzalam". Namati.
  6. "Staff & Board of Directors | Welcome to SATIIM". www.satiim.org.bz.
  7. "SATIIM's Froyla Tzalam Explains Decision to Decline Nomination". Channel 5 Belize. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  8. "PM Confirms Nomination of Froyla Tzalam as the next Governor General". lovefm.com. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  9. "Court circular: March 21, 2022". The Times.
  10. Governor General Froyla T’zalam Bestowed Title of Dame
  11. "Investiture Ceremony". Twitter.


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