Latest update April 16th, 2025 7:21 AM
Latest News
- Oil production in Guyana to climb to 900K barrels per day… as 4th FPSO arrives
- Italian company secures contract for early works on Exxon’s 7th project yet to be approved
- Israel proposes Gaza ceasefire deal to release 10 hostages for hundreds of Palestinians, Hamas says
- Peru’s ex-president and first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail
- Brazil to auction 172 oil blocks in June
APA warns against hijacking of Toshaos confab
…urges respect for autonomy, self-determination of Indigenous leadership
The National Toshaos Conference opens today
Kaieteur News – The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) in welcoming Toshaos and other Indigenous leaders to the National Toshaos Council’s (NTC)
Conference, which opens today warned against the hijacking of the forum for personal agendas, while insisting that it be led by Indigenous Peoples, guided by their priorities and concerns.
“While collaboration is vital, it is equally important that this conference remains a space where Indigenous leaders can advocate for their people and their communities without undue influence,” APA said in a statement on Sunday. The PPP/C Government in the past has used the conference as a political forum to strengthen its electoral support among Amerindians. The government would also often seek to control the movement of the Toshaos while in Georgetown and last year, it prevented many of them from speaking to this newspaper. This year approximately $100 million from the national budget has been set aside for the NTC Conference. The Toshaos’ conference gives village leaders from all across the country a forum to engage the President and government ministers and expand development acute to Amerindian. The conference also gives Indigenous leaders a platform to raise concerns and challenges affecting them.
In its statement, the APA encouraged respect for the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous leadership and urged support for meaningful dialogue rooted in Indigenous peoples’ voices and lived experiences.
“Let this conference be a true reflection of the unity, resilience, and strength of our communities. We look forward to fruitful discussions, collaborative efforts, and, most importantly, the amplification of the voices of our Toshaos and Indigenous Peoples,” APA said.
According to the APA, this conference is especially critical for Indigenous Peoples as their communities are witnessing rapid changes that require them to be truly part of the decision-making process. “The APA is aware that the National Toshaos Conference is a critical national platform for our leaders to collectively reflect on the progress and the challenges facing their communities as we continue to advocate for the advancement of Indigenous rights and wellbeing.”
The organisation said Toshaos are entrusted with the responsibility of speaking on behalf of their people, and this conference must provide a conducive space for that purpose. “The APA underscores the importance of ensuring that Indigenous leaders can freely express their views, concerns, and solutions regarding the complex issues of their communities, whether related to land rights, environmental threats, or the provision of essential services such as education, healthcare and have the ability to do so in the language that they are most comfortable with.”
Noting the country is at a pivotal time in the ongoing struggle for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the APA said: “Therefore, we must ensure that this Conference is led by Indigenous Peoples, guided by our priorities and concerns, and not restricted by anyone’s agendas but the communities. While collaboration is vital, it is equally important that this conference remains a space where Indigenous leaders can advocate for their people and their communities without undue influence.”
“The APA encourages respect for the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous leadership and supports meaningful dialogue rooted in Indigenous peoples’ voices and lived experiences,” the statement concluded.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
In praise of the Almighty Executive Order
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Democracy, as we know it, is a kind of ménage à trois — the elected, the appointed,... more
Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- On April 9, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of the higher... more
Weekend Cartoon
