Froyla Tzalam

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

Her Excellency Dame Froyla Tzalam GCMG
Tzalam in 2022
3rd Governor-General of Belize
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 May 2021
Monarchs	Elizabeth II Charles III
Prime Minister	Johnny Briceño
Preceded by	Sir Colville Young
Personal details
Born	San Antonio, Toledo, British Honduras (now Belize)
Spouse	Daniel Mendez[1]
Children	2[2]
Alma mater	Trinity University (BA) University of Sussex (MA)

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

Education

Tzalam is from the village of San Antonio, Toledo. She graduated with a BA degree in Anthropology from Trinity University, Texas. This was followed by a MA degree 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 style	Her Excellency
Spoken style	Your 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 Sir 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 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on behalf of Elizabeth II, Queen of Belize, during the Platinum Jubilee royal tour of Belize.^[9][10][11] In June 2022, she travelled to the United Kingdom to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities in London.^[12]

Tzalam with the Duchess of Gloucester and the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace during her visit for the coronation of King Charles III, 2022

Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, Tzalam became the first governor-general of Belize to have served under two monarchs. She said that the Queen "was a much loved and respected figure across the globe", who "was known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service".^[13] Tzalam also represented Belize at the Queen's state funeral in the United Kingdom.^[14] Alongside Minister Francis Fonseca she represented Belize at the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.^[15]

References

1. "Prime Minister John Briceño Independence Day Address 2021". 21 September 2021.
2. "Heartiest congratulations to Her Excellency Froyla Tzalam on her appointment as Governor General !! Ms. Tzalam is a woman of substance, of keen intellect, and of deep and abiding commitment to Belize and all our people. She will surely do us proud in executing her duties as our country's highest official. We wish her, her husband Daniel Mendez, and her lovely children Yasil and Yanil all of God's richest blessings today... - Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples' Affairs". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
3. "First Woman of Maya Descent Elected as Governor - General in the Commonwealth". 31 May 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
4. "Congratulatory Outpouring for GG Froyla T'zalam". Channel5Belize.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
5. "froyla tzalam". Namati.
6. "Staff & Board of Directors". www.satiim.org.bz.
7. "SATIIM's Froyla Tzalam Explains Decision to Decline Nomination". Channel 5 Belize. 6 January 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
8. "PM Confirms Nomination of Froyla Tzalam as the next Governor General". lovefm.com. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
9. "Court circular: March 21, 2022". The Times.
10. "Governor General Froyla T'zalam Bestowed Title of Dame". Channel5Belize.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
11. "Investiture Ceremony". Twitter.
12. "GG attends the Queen's Platinum Jubilee". Amandala Newspaper. 4 June 2022.
13. "Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam issues statement following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II; Flags to be flown at half-mast". Breaking Belize News. 8 September 2022.
14. "GG Froyla Tzalam to Attend The Queen's Funeral". LoveFM. 9 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
15. "Principal Attendance at the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Saturday 6th May 2023". The Coronation Roll. Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.

Government offices
Preceded by Sir Colville Young	Governor-General of Belize 2021–present	Incumbent