The GIS Specialist from Chenapou

Jun 04, 2018 News

Michael McGarrell shows thumbs up as he stands at the head of the Arnik River, a tributary of the Potaro River.

“This is what I love to do, and will continue to do it because it’s one way of giving back to my people. I believe I owe them that much: to continue the fight, the struggle they started so many years ago,” Michael McGarrell

Michael McGarrell knows too well of the importance of Guyana’s rainforest not only towards the sustenance of human life, but to the diverse populations of plants and animals.
He gets to pursue his passion while being employed at the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) as a Geographic System Information (GIS) Specialist and Forest Policy Officer.
McGarrell is from the Patamona tribe and hails from Chenapou, which is located along the Potaro River, close to the famous Kaieteur Falls.
In his capacity at the APA, he is responsible for making maps and helping various communities make their own maps. These maps not only mark territories, but also show state agencies and government how indigenous peoples use the lands.
However, before he began working on forest policy, which involves any forest related matter in Guyana, McGarrell started out volunteering at the APA. He confessed that the experience has taught him to go after your heart’s desire.
According to him, “I am Amerindian, and being educated outside an Amerindian community, I learned about what I call “the other side of the fence” – which is pretty different from the way I grew up. But it taught me some important lessons, and as an Amerindian that has learnt me about ‘the other side,’ I’m now able to use that knowledge to promote my culture, promote my heritage and promote my traditions.”
Expressing that he loves what he does, McGarrell, pointed out that young people, especially those of Indigenous descent; need to ensure that they are a voice for others who cannot speak out. “I love what I do, and think this is what I’ll continue to do until I die. I don’t think I could find anything else that would be as important.”
“My ancestors gave me so much. They passed on traditions and stories and so many more things to me. They were the ones who were fighting for the security of our lands, and I think it’s only fair that as a young person coming up, I should now give back to them.”
“This is what I love to do, and will continue to do because it’s one way of giving back to my people. I believe I owe them that much, to continue the fight, the struggle they started so many years ago.”
Urging persons to become involved with the APA, the Forest Policy Officer said that this will serve as a gateway for persons, particularly Amerindians, to learn about their culture and tradition. He added that the Association puts one in a space where they have access to documents and interact with people who’ve had lots of experience.
Noting it is one way of giving back to ancestors, McGarrell is encouraging young people to read more about their history. Not just reading, he says, but also talking with the elderly, because the elderly have a lot of information.
“Young people need to connect with the elderly so you understand more about the true meaning of who we are as a people. I think when you do; you begin to see why it is necessary and important that as young people you join the fight to make our voices heard,” he added.
A SEVEN -DAY HIKE THROUGH GUYANA’S RAINFOREST
“Recently, for example, others and I walked from Paramakatoi to Moruwa. It took us seven days, but it reminded me of how our people made those trails over generations. Our people are so knowledgeable about our land that they made these trails through mountains, rivers and valleys.
It made me feel proud as a young person, knowing that I was walking on the trails my ancestors walked, the trails my ancestors forged. It gives me a good feeling, it makes me feel really nice that I can do this, I am doing this!” said an enthusiastic McGarrell.
“It was rough, it was tough, but I realized that if they did it, I could do it too. This is for our people – I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing this for the generations that come behind my children and their children and other young Amerindians.
It’s a proud moment and a nice realization that I’m walking where my ancestors walked. That’s the story I’d like to tell, because it gives me hope and a sense of pride that I’m doing it, and I’m not just doing it for me, but for my people,” he concluded.