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Guyanese in Canada hoist the Golden Arrowhead
By Lindsay Davidson
Scores of Toronto-based Guyanese gathered along with members of the Caricom Diplomatic Corps at City Hall yesterday to witness the hoisting of Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead to mark the country’s 50th Anniversary
The assembly of Guyanese at the Independence flag raising in Toronto, Canada.
of Independence.
Long time politician and City Councillor, Jim Karygiannis, brought greetings from Toronto Mayor, John Tory. There were remarks by former Cabinet Minister Frank Campbell and Retired Colonel Carl Morgan, following the hoisting of the flag at noon on May 26, by 90-year-old Guyana Defence Force Colonel Cecil “Pluto” Martindale (Retired).
There were also prayers by Muslim, Hindu and Christian Leaders, a welcome by Acting Consul General Mishelle Butters and a vote of thanks by Winston Kassim, Coordinator of the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee.
The Master of Ceremonies was Clyde Gulliver.
Most of the speakers expressed hope for unity among Guyanese at home and abroad to ensure the nation’s prosperity. Councillor Karygiannis wished for sustained freedom and democracy for the 50-year-old nation.
While Colonel Morgan gave a brief history of events leading up to and after Guyana’s independence, former Information Minister Campbell pointed to the promise of the famous embrace of then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan at the first flag raising ceremony on May 26, 1966.
He said that recently he had the pleasure of reading two articles – one by former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, and the other by Colonel Desmond Roberts (Retired) who raised the Golden Arrowhead on Independence Day 1966.
“These two articles have three things in common. Both referred to Dr. Jagan’s presence at that first flag-raising ceremony, a significant fact, given the divisive politics of that time. Both referred to then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham’s famous embrace of Dr. Jagan. And both articles also referred to what ensued following that embrace.”
Campbell told those present that Colonel Roberts said,” It was really a remarkable moment. It set in motion all kinds of ideas that the whole nation will come together. At the time it looked hopeful. We have to change this nonsense about race and ethnicity for this country to develop.”
Ramkarran, he said, noted that the promise of that embrace is yet to be fulfilled.
Campbell urged the crowd to reflect and to ask themselves, “What can we do to help in the fulfillment of the promise of that embrace, the promise of that moment? What will we do?”
The 45-minute ceremony in Toronto concluded with a reception organized by the Guyana Consulate staff and volunteers during which guests dug into traditional and popular Guyanese dishes.
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