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Delay in extending Amerindian boundary line draws protest at Nappi
Tensions flared on Saturday, as villagers from the Region Nine, Hiawa settlement of Nappi, took to the streets to protest the delay in being granted an extension to their lands. Their protest comes at a time when Lethem is due to become a town in May.
According to Guy Fredericks, who is a former Toshao of Nappi, Region Nine, the issue stems from a request that has been in the offing for some time to have the Hiawa settlement boundaries extended. He noted that there are Hiawa settlers who, judging from the current boundary, are living outside the boundary.
He also stated that as Lethem is going to become a town, they do not know how far the boundaries will go. There is worry that the proposed boundaries will encroach on those lands that were applied for. In light of this, he related that on Saturday they visited the proposed Lethem boundary. Some of the villagers also protested with placards.
Fredericks revealed that as it stands, there is a ranch on the outskirts of Hiawa, whose owners have taken over an area that was traditionally used by the Hiawa settlers to fish and hunt. The former Toshao decried this situation, since Amerindians are now prohibited from using their own ancestral land.
Some of the settlers during the protest, as they relate their concerns
“This is not the right way,” Fredericks said. “We will come down to Georgetown and meet with the Minister. We want the extension question to be settled.”
Fredericks recalled that this was a fervent promise from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) while on the campaign trail. He also recalled that during the National Toshao’s Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Lilliendaal, this was again brought up.
To date, Fredericks noted that despite the many applications sent, there has been no response. Last year, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, had spoken of communities which were applying to have their land titles extended. The position then had been to ensure that the general public is educated about their rights within international laws governing indigenous people.
The Amerindian Act of 2006 has provisions for Amerindians and the granting of titles for Amerindian Land. However, it has been criticized by many for its lack of transparent titling and demarcation procedures and a lack of objective criteria on demarcation boundaries.
Land titles are granted for an unlimited period of time. Amerindians own the land collectively, which cannot be expropriated by the State.
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