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A tribute to our Indigenous brothers and sisters as we celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month

Sep 06, 2009 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

September is here again and the Alliance For Change (AFC) joins with all Guyana to wish our Indigenous Peoples a very meaningful as well as successful Amerindian Heritage Month.
While this month should be used to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our Indigenous Peoples, time should also be taken to reflect on the sterling contributions they have made, and continue to make, to the social and economic fabric of our great nation.
As one looks at the strides of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, the stalwart of the First Peoples’ struggle, Mr. Stephen Campbell, must be remembered and revered. He championed the Indigenous Peoples’ cause to have their voices heard, to be a part of national decision-making, to chart their own course in relation to community development, and to have equal access to the much needed national social services and equal opportunities as all other Guyanese.
If Mr. Campbell were to do an assessment today of what he fought for over four decades ago, he definitely would sigh in disappointment. Successive governments from 1964 to present have failed to adequately address the needs of our hinterland Diaspora.
What seems to be the norm is for the political powers of the day to give handouts to our Indigenous family, conveniently, for it to appear that they have them at heart. But these are just acts of cosmetology for the nation to believe that the plight of the people in the interior areas is being addressed.
Those of us who visit hinterland communities are bombarded all the time with cries for help for better education, health and other social services. Beautiful schools are built at astronomical costs but have inadequate teachers; hospitals in areas like Kamarang in Region 7, Port Kaituma and Moruca in Region 1, still after many years do not have the resources and capacity to function as hospitals. Many patients still have to be referred to Georgetown at their inconvenience and in most cases at their own economic cost.
The Mazaruni River remains a testimony to water pollution caused by mining – a scenario that has been evaded by the Government for decades. Economic alternatives in hinterland villages are absent. Capacity building for community leaders is found wanting. A one-off training “every five years” is definitely a poor attempt to equip our Indigenous leaders to deal with entities like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Conservation International (CI) as well as negotiating with investors in communities as allowed by the Amerindian Act.
One only hopes that the President’s Low Carbon Development Strategy is clearly explained to our Indigenous Peoples who are the primary stakeholders and their involvement must be one of free, prior and informed consent, and not coercion.
Our Indigenous Peoples deserve to be treated equal to all other Guyanese and be respected for the role they have to play in Guyana’s development.
So with a sense of gratitude to our Indigenous Peoples for their contribution to the nation and support for their causes, the AFC wishes them a gratifying Amerindian Heritage Month. As you partake in all the diverse activities to highlight your month of celebration in your villages, districts and the nation as a whole, may you be strengthened in your resolve to rise to the occasion and take your rightful place in Society.
Do not allow your zeal and enthusiasm to be eclipsed by your unattended difficulties, but recommit to struggle for the goals you set yourselves. The AFC stands fully behind you, and will be fully involved in the commemoration celebrations.
Once again happy Amerindian Heritage Month.

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