Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM
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Lands COI…Granger tells Indigenous organisations govt. had no plans to exclude them
In an effort to address several issues which have been raised about the Lands Commission of Inquiry (CoI), representatives from a number of Indigenous Organisations met with President David Granger yesterday at State
President David Granger flanked by Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and representatives from the Indigenous Organisations.
House.
In a media release from the Ministry of the Presidency, it was said that the President explained to the delegation that contrary what is being said in the public, his government never intended to set up a Commission to deal with Indigenous lands and not involve Indigenous peoples.
He said that the Commission is mandated to engage communities in order to examine and make recommendations to resolve issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands and Amerindian land titling issues.
The release said that Granger also spoke of the five-point plan which he proposed to the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) last Wednesday.
“This plan includes: a review of all existing agreements and conventions relating to Amerindian lands, a review of the Terms of Reference of the Commission, endorsement of the principal of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), reconciliation of the positions of the NTC and the Government on the objectives of the Commission of Inquiry and a review of the Amerindian Act.”
Further, the government statement said that Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, described the meeting as a step in the right direction. Along with the President, Allicock and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon represented the government.
Allicock said, “It’s about understanding the issues and coming together to discuss the said issues. That is what is really important here. I think that for too long we have not been communicating the way we should and I look forward for the continuation of this kind of dialogue.”
NTC Chairman stated after the meeting that he was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss a number of issues which surround the Land COI with the President including mining and governance.
“I want to say that the NTC had the opportunity to bring these matters to him so that we can see how best these organisations, who represent the Indigenous peoples, can all work together with the Government in addressing some of them.”
Attending the meeting yesterday was Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Joel Fredericks, President of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, Ashton Simon, Toshao of Shulinab Village, Nicholas Fredericks, Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission and NTC Vice-Chairman, Lennox Shuman, Toshao of Chenapau, Edward McGarrel, Coordinator of the National Amerindian Development Foundation, Ms. Zelita Debedin, Executive Director of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), Ms. Jean La Rose, Mr. Colin Klautky from the Guyana Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) and Mr. Peter Persaud from the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana.
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