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Top achievers honoured as Heritage Month activities conclude
The Annual Heritage Dinner 2012 event presented an opportunity for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to honour Hinterland Scholarship students and top achievers. It was also a chance to lend support to hinterland Amerindian patients who travel to Georgetown for medical treatment.
The dinner was the final event scheduled in the capital to culminate the activities of Amerindian Heritage Month 2012.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai stated that while Heritage Month itself was a much anticipated month, over the years activities have grown.
“We’ve seen greater enhancement of the cultural expressions of our people – we have seen also, the wider Guyanese population accepting the integration of the diversity of Amerindian culture,” she said
Minister Sukhai pointed out that while there are nine Amerindian nations in Guyana and their cultural expressions may seem to be the same, “each one has its own peculiar cultural traits.” She added that that the songs and dances have their own unique blends to the various nations.
Whilst the Government subsidises treatment and transportation costs for hinterland Amerindian residents who travel to the capital for medical treatment, annual dinners hosted by the Ministry focus on supporting children who fall into this category. However, this year’s Heritage dinner was in aid of support for all patients who do so.
Additionally, top hinterland students were presented with awards for their outstanding performance this year. Awardees included Reanna Rodrigues of Region Nine, who was the top student for the region in the National Grade Six Assessment. Reanna attended the St. Ignatius Primary School. She is now also a Hinterland Scholarship Student attending The Bishops’ High School. Two other top students from the Region were also presented with awards.
Bartician, Otis Chase was the Best Graduating Student of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme 2012. He gained five distinctions; three grade ones and one grade three at the 2012 CSEC exams.
Otis Chase, Best Graduating Student of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme 2012 receives his award from Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai (GINA photo)
Former Hinterland Scholarship student, Dr. Salome Henry who now serves the Linden Hospital Complex was also singled out for a special award.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who attended the dinner observed that while improvements are taking place all over the country, Amerindians are receiving their fair share of attention. He also reported that about 12,000 solar panels have already been distributed to date, ensuring that 80% of hinterland homes have electricity. Under the Hinterland Electrification Programme, 11,000 households have been targeted, but prior to that others were distributed.
PM Hinds added that similar progress will soon be made in the One Laptop Per Family project that has a target of 90,000.
On the issue of mining, while noting that partnerships are being developed between hinterland residents and coastlanders who are traditional miners, the Prime Minister expressed pleasure that many Amerindians themselves are taking their place in the gold mining sector.
The Prime Minister pointed to the fact that while there is the potential for many challenges to be met, “significant progress is being made all around – and Amerindians are taking their place fully in the growth and development of Guyana”.
He said that while many Amerindian doctors are returning to Guyana from Cuba, the challenge to develop Guyana still has to go a far way to achieve more advanced living. “But we have to make progress materially and in coming together; in resolving differences and potential conflicts in historical events.”
Amerindian Heritage Month 2012 was observed through several activities such as Heritage Day at Micobie village, Region Eight, a weekend of sports, Heritage walk, and mural painting. (GINA)
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