A clear declaration that selfless service is still recognized in our fairly jaded society

Oct 19, 2018 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
I must express my gratitude to Kaieteur News for printing a letter questioning the Honorary Doctorate proposed for Ms Laura George.
It is most definitely a needed question at this time for a multitude of reasons, of which the first is, “Why did it take so long for our premier institution to make such an honour available to Guyanese deserving of such recognition?”
It would seem as though many others value our citizens and recognise their hard work and dedication much more than our own, and I would like to offer a resounding applause to the Noble institution for taking this monumental step. Not only is it a significant one for us as a nation, but it is most important for our own institution to take such an approach to recognising the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.
I wish to highlight one of the most important points of Kaieteur News publishing that letter. It demonstrates the ignorance in Guyana of the plight of the Indigenous Peoples and conjures such images of persons scheming on ways in which they can find to undermine the legitimate plight of Guyana’s first peoples, and it further demonstrates, along the same line, the poor understanding people have of Indigenous Rights and why they need to be defended – which brings me to the Amerindian Land Titling Project.
One of my biggest questions to anyone who wishes to entertain would be, “Why do we continuously settle for mediocrity in Guyana instead of legality?” Why are Indigenous Land “RIGHTS” being treated as a project instead of recognising the Indigenous Peoples International and Constitutional Right to own their lands?
Indigenous Peoples never surrendered our lands for it to be “Granted” to us! We have never given them to anyone. What is required is for our lands to be given back to us, and while I recognise the tremendous amount of funds that is available through the bilateral agreement between the Kingdom of Norway and Guyana, I must say I am appalled to know that someone can falsely accuse such an astute person who has dedicated her time, energy, and resources to identifying, advocating, and tirelessly working for the recognition of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
I have had the opportunity to sit as one of two reps from the National Toshaos Council on the ALT Project board. I have also had the opportunity to see some of the staff from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA) at work. And I must bring the letter’s author and MoIPA to question, regarding the sincerity with which they seek to represent the Indigenous Peoples.
MoIPA had the opportunity to move this project many times and faltered. They also stood idly by while Annai was Gazetted as an NDC, and the Honourable Minister himself tried to convince Campbelltown and Micobie that it would benefit them significantly if they were to be part of the Township of Mahdia, knowing full well that that would not only negatively impact their livelihoods, it would also be a contravention in the recognition of their rights.
In my time on the ALT board, I can say that there are times that I have questioned the sincerity of MoIPA in their execution of the project, as they seemed less concerned about Indigenous Land Titling, and more concerned about the hefty DSA that the project pays the field officers.
Had they been genuinely concerned about Indigenous Peoples getting our lands, they would have availed themselves to addressing the multitude of issues that continue to stifle the project and hinder any progress on Indigenous Land Rights.
Had the author paid any attention at the board meetings to which they were present, they would have understood that aside from the Lack of Capacity and Interest at the MoIPA, the single largest hindrance to Indigenous Land Rights being recognised in Guyana resides in the Lands and Surveys Commission, and by extension, the Government.
The case of the Upper Mazaruni seeking to have the matter settled in Court should be applauded, as it remains the last and final remedy in trying to bring settlement to their land rights with absolute finality.
While I can name many more Indigenous Peoples and Guyanese that I do believe are also deserving of this recognition, Ms Laura George and her colleagues to be honoured should be embraced. They are truly deserving of this honour. It stands as a clear declaration that selfless service is still recognized in our fairly jaded society.
It is my hope that the soon to be Doctor Laura George would make a further push for the University of Guyana to correct and teach Indigenous History in Guyana.
Respectfully
Lenox Shuman
Immediate Past Toshao – Pakuri and Former Vice Chair – NTC

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