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Amerindians must contribute…but positively

Nov 29, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I was elated when I saw the caption “Excuse me; I have a view” in Kaieteur News of November 21, 2009.
The caption was what stirred my interest to read on as I was expecting some new thoughts or concepts that can change our society. As I read along I realised that it was Mr. Ian Hernandez expressing his views, of course he aired his emotions and thoughts, and every one has that right to speak out when something disturbs him or his citizenry.
Sure there was a response from NADF to the torturing of the son of Doodnauth Jaikarran and Shirley Thomas. The National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF) response captioned, “NADF condemns brutality on youth” was sent to Kaieteur News, SN and the Guyana Chronicle. Guyana Chronicle published the response by NADF on November 4, 2009.
A partial extract from that response reads:
Para 3, “this is not what the Guyana Police Force is about, youths see them as protectors and not enforcers of the law, persons to be respected and not feared”
Para 4, “NADF stands with all concerned citizens and express without reservation our support for justice to be served”
These are very strong statements coming from an Indigenous NGO which supports Mr. Hernandez’s views and concerns. So NADF is not silent and will never be silent.
What I was not too happy with was the attack on the Amerindian NGO’s and their support for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). I dare say that from NADF’s point of view, NADF’s support for the LCDS is firm and will withstand any attempt to derail that support base.
I take Ian’s attack on NADF’s support for the LCDS as unwarranted and irrelevant to the issue he was really addressing, that of the tortured teen. I, however, take this opportunity to respond since there is a line indicating some form of misinformation or bitterness on Amerindian NGO’s and reasons for supporting the LCDS.
Extract from “Excuse me; I have a view” Para 14. ‘Their interest seem to be more in the LCDS proposal and what benefits can be had by supporting such a proposal’
This echoes a message completely opposite to what the LCDS is voicing and I can positively conclude that Ian Hernandez is not adequately informed or do not understand the role of the Amerindians or Indigenous NGO’s in this whole process. Certainly NADF has smelled the coffee and it smells good, good for the Amerindians.
What the Amerindians are not doing is preparing to consume the coffee. I have not heard from Amerindian leaders of the urgent need to have managers, experts, engineers, scientists, medicinal researchers and others critical to planning and implementing strategies to meet the challenges ahead.
Amerindians can be the force for development in the hinterland areas. The LCDS spells out with no hidden agenda the benefits for the Amerindians, but I see no move by leaders to select bright students to jump to the challenge.
Great nations developed using rails systems and with the monies derived from LCDS Amerindians can be the force to implement such a venture and spearhead development in Guyana. Government cannot do it all, Amerindians must help.
Tolls derived after time will repay costs and Amerindians can travel, transport processed foods and other products at a cheap rate.
I have heard some leaders expressing their community’s wish to “Opt In” do they have plans for development? I am talking plans not just ideas. Do they have qualified financial managers to deal with the type of money which will flow to the communities?
Do they have qualified managers that think strategically? Have they developed a workable information technology (IT) network? These are some concerns that need to be addressed by Amerindians and their leaders almost immediately.
Why? Climate Change is real and the international world is very conscious of the fact and things are happening, positive things. LCDS has not failed; the benefits Hernandez claims the Indigenous NGO’s are pursuing or are interested in is for the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana, not for the NGO’s.
Yes, we survived the Ice Age and certainly we will survive Climate Change, throw your pound in and it will tally for the cause.
Ashton Simon

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