Sharamla Singh is Indigenous Heritage queen

Sep 14, 2016 News

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Sixteen-year-old Sharmala Singh last Saturday evening wooed a large crowned that gathered on the Beachfront of Lake Mainstay to witness the highly anticipated Miss Mainstay/Whyaka Pageant.

The pageant was part of the Indigenous Village Day celebrations as this year’s Indigenous Heritage Month of Activities continues.
The pageant and culture show capped what was a successful day of activities in the Arawak village of Mainstay/Whyaka in Region Two.
The Village celebrations were attended by President David A. Granger, First Lady Sandra Granger, Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe.
Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams was also among the guests.
The reigning Indigenous Heritage Queen Sherica Ambrose was on hand to crown the lakeside beauty who was one of seven ladies vying for the coveted crown. The other contestants were Glory Fredericks, Atika De Jounge, Navita Fredericks, Nikita Persaud, Nikita Allen and Leshaunna Innis.
The winner was determined based on her introductory piece, stage presence, presentation and delivery of content, evening gown as well as traditional wear.
During the intelligence segment contestants were judged on confidence, relevance, fluency and delivery of content.
When the activities got underway earlier in the day President David Granger addressed the hundreds who turned out to participate in the day’s celebrations underscored the need to strengthen the Amerindian Act which received several recommendations during the just concluded National Toshao’s Conference.

Other commitments included setting in motion the National Rights Commissions which will ensure the issues regarding Indigenous land rights are addressed, while much emphasis was placed on ensuring his Administration builds an Educated nation.
The President while alluding to the stellar contributions the indigenous peoples have made over the years, expressed his resolve to bridge the gap between the Hinterland and the Coastland in the area of education since this is pivotal in ensuring that much touted transformation is realized.
“We have an obligation to our children. If the children are to be productive citizens, we their parents and grandparents, have to make sure that we plan for their education, plan for their upbringing, plan for their welfare… It is essential that in everything we do, all of the plans we make, we ensure that children get to school and get the best education. It is a travesty that will lead to catastrophe if our children are not kept in school,” the President opined.
Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock in addressing the gathering urged the residents of Host Village (Mainstay/Whyaka) to widen their horizons as it relates to their economic activities.
He challenged Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka; Mr. Joel Fredericks to resuscitate the pineapple processing facility which once created job opportunities for residents.
“This project can be resuscitated and can become the guaranteed market for pineapples from Mainstay/Whyaka and other villages such as Capoey and Tapacuma… I expect that in the not too distant future, Ms. Marsha Williams will be appointed Community Development Officer for this area because we need that sort of support to be able to get the work done,” the Minister said.
The village pineapple processing factory has been out of operation for some time now and Minister Allicock encouraged the Toshao to resume negotiations with Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited (AMCAR) which will be mutually beneficial for the villagers as well as the investors since the village is known for its vast agricultural potential.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe after extending wishes to the gathering of indigenous people in three languages —- Arawak, Patamona and Makushi — said that she is happy to see the world embracing the Indigenous way of life.
“It is no secret that today’s modern world is looking back to the ways of the indigenous peoples so that they can learn the secrets and the ways of how to combat climate change and save this world.”
Education month is also being celebrated in September and according to Minister Garrido-Lowe who has direct responsibility for women and youth “the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs remains committed to supporting the two hundred and twelve indigenous communities and for this new term we have so far given scholarships to and we are still counting 48 GTI Students, also four for Carnegie School of Home Economics, four for GSA and Kurukuru College who we have worked with for a number of years have accepted a number of our brothers and sisters.”
She said, “Learning a skill is so very important for our communities… many of our communities, peoples lack the skills to develop their communities…..many of our people need the skills so that they can help themselves and learn to operate certain machinery instead of depending on skills from Georgetown.”
The minister reminded that the indigenous peoples are a proud and talented people. Prior to its ascension to office the then opposition coalition party promised that once elected the party will ensure technical schools are established to meet the high demand of skills in the hinterland, a promise that will become a reality.
Included in the day’s activities were wood-cutting and canoe racing. The evening’s entertainment included a bonfire, a pageant and a cultural show.
An Indigenous Heritage Exhibition opens tomorrow at Castellani House from 5 pm or 17 hours where a number of Paintings, Sculptures and Ceramics exhibits will be on display and sale.
The exhibition closes at the end of the month.

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