Supporting Indigenous Rights, Governance, and Respectful Political Engagement

May 17, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

As a proud son of Guyana’s Indigenous heritage and a former elected Chief, I reaffirm my unwavering support for the authority of Amerindian Village Councils as enshrined in the Amerindian Act of 2006, and for the foundational rights guaranteed to all Guyanese under our Constitution.

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) plays a vital role in safeguarding the autonomy, traditions, and governance systems of our First Peoples. I welcome its recent public advisory as a timely reminder that entry into Amerindian villages must be guided by law, rooted in respect, and carried out in consultation with Village Councils, whose authority must never be undermined.

At the same time, I believe it is essential to uphold and defend the right of all Amerindian citizens to participate fully and freely in the political life of our country, including the right to be members of, support, or engage with any political party of their choice. This right is a sacred pillar of our democracy, and it must be protected with the same vigilance as our cultural and governance norms.

The Liberty and Justice Party stands firmly for the empowerment of Indigenous voices in national decision-making, and we encourage respectful, lawful political discourse within all communities. Political participation should never be seen as a threat to Indigenous governance but rather as a complement to it, provided that visits to villages are conducted with transparency, with prior approval from the Village Council, and in a manner consistent with established laws and customs.

We also urge our fellow Guyanese to avoid politicising Indigenous governance and instead focus on building mutual respect, informed dialogue, and partnerships that uplift our communities in every region.

As a political leader and former Chief, I recommit myself to walking in full respect of Amerindian law, culture, and leadership, while continuing to advocate for equity, inclusion, and constitutional freedoms for all Guyanese, especially our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

It take this opportunity to remind the general public that Indigenous Communities and lands are private properties held communally – similar to someone owning a private home. As such, in a similar manner, when you wish to enter someone’s private yard or house, permission must be sought and be granted from the owner lest you are charged for trespassing. It is the same for Indigenous Lands and Villages. Under Part II of the Amerindian Act, it clearly states; Part II, Entry and Access, 5(1): “A person, other than

a person referred to in section 8, who wishes to enter Village Lands shall apply for and obtain the permission of the Village Council.”

The act also grants unto the Toshao, the authority to represent and act in the best interest of the Village and sometimes such actions may conflict with the interest of some, something that I can speak intimately and knowledgeably about.

The Constitution of Guyana also empowers and gives that right to the Indigenous Peoples under Article 149G. “Indigenous Peoples shall have the right to the protection, preservation, and promulgation of their cultural heritage and ways of life.”

Let us work together toward a future where governance, tradition, and democracy coexist in harmony, and where every citizen, regardless of heritage or political belief, is empowered to shape the destiny of our beautiful nation.

Lenox Shuman

Leader-LJP

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