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FM
Former Member
THE indigenous peoples of Guyana have access to even more opportunities today, under the PPP/C Administration, and they continue to play important roles in the development of the country as a whole. President Bharrat Jagdeo made this observation last evening at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2011, under the theme, ‘Our Culture, Our Heritage, and Our Life: A Fusion of Indigenous Diversity’.
[President Bharrat Jagdeo with contestants in the Heritage Month Pageant]

President Bharrat Jagdeo with contestants in the Heritage Month Pageant

Acknowledging how interest in Amerindian Heritage Month has grown since it started with Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the President said, “I have seen how it has grown in numbers and diversity, that people of every race and every religion now come and share this wonderful culture… and I have faith that this wonderful culture will not only survive, but will grow from strength to strength.”
He noted that over the years, great strides have been made in terms of developing the Amerindian communities across the country.
He said, “We have established five Rights Commissions, because we thought that everybody needs protection and the fundamental rights clause of our Constitution affords protection for all; we thought that some groups needed even greater protection and they needed special provisions to enforce declarative rights in the constitution, but they must have effective means of exercising those rights.”
In recognition of the equal importance of Amerindian rights, the Indigenous People’s Commission was established, through which indigenous people’s circumstances could be examined in every aspect, Jagdeo added.
According to the Head of State, the month long celebrations is just the “tip of the iceberg”, as important groundwork had already been laid during the year.
[The President cuddles an infant at the Amerindian Village.]

The President cuddles an infant at the Amerindian Village.

“We recently emerged from the national Toshao’s Council Meeting, where we sat for five days with the leaders of government and many agencies , working with them on their plans for the development of their people ; that work is often not seen or heralded but is very important,” he said.
He noted that when the Amerindian leaders met, they led the process to create a National Development Strategy for each village, to transform the village, which was fully supported by the government and for which works have been initiated.
According to President Jagdeo, a significant part of the funds earned from the Low Carbon Development Strategy and REDD+ mechanism was earmarked for the Amerindian communities.
He said, “Two years ago, we promised to give each home in each village a solar panel, and we are on the verge of receiving all of those, maybe within a next month or two, and every one of the 11,000 homes in the Amerindian communities will have electricity through solar panel.”
In addition to this, government is spending about $2B connecting Region 8 with Region 9 .
The president said that contracts have already been awarded and works have started so that all of the goods produced in Region Eight can be taken to the City by truck, as opposed to airlift.
[President Bharrat Jagdeo with Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai at the launching of Amerindian Heritage Month at Sophia yesterday.]

President Bharrat Jagdeo with Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai at the launching of Amerindian Heritage Month at Sophia yesterday.

As to the impact of this , Jagdeo said, “We are reducing the cost of living, but opening up huge opportunities in Region 8, Parmakatoi , Monkey Mountain, Kato, and maybe we can go back to producing potatoes and onions there, and we are doing the same in Region 1 in the three sub districts .”
Commenting on the state of healthcare in the hinterland, President Jagdeo said that this sector is expanding as young doctors returning to Guyana are being deployed to the interior to offer their services.
As to the literacy drive, he explained that the government continues to place great emphasis on this aspect of development in the hinterland communities.
“Right now we are building more dormitories, expanding secondary education and the Learning Channel should have hit every single Amerindian community; within a month or two, the young kids for the first time can look to a life beyond primary education, they can look to a life of being any person they want to be because of opportunities provided by this government, from scholarships, the almost 500 in Georgetown, and close to 100 abroad,” Jagdeo emphasized.
On the issue of the demarcation of Amerindian Lands, the president urged the community members to be patient and assured them that the PPP/C will continue to work with them so that this promise too can be realized.
[A group performs at the Amerindian Village.]

A group performs at the Amerindian Village.

In closing, he pointed out that as the country moves forward during this election year, he has great faith that the PPP/C will emerge victorious.
“I know the PPP/C candidate , Donald Ramotar, too, had formative years in Amerindian community, and has to continue a PPP time-honoured agenda; but he will do so with empathy, because he understands the struggles of Amerindian people and their hopes and dreams,” President Jagdeo said.
In her address, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, explained that the 16th Annual Amerindian Heritage Month celebration is intended to highlight the diversity of the peoples, and she recognized too that this year, the country is also celebrating the International Year of People of African Descent.
She reiterated that the PPP/ C continues to advocate for the rights of all peoples of Guyana , including the Amerindian communities, evident in the many programmes designed to improve the quality of life of the indigenous peoples.
Both President Jagdeo and Sukhai paid tribute to the life and work of the late Dr. Desrey Fox, who, they said, left a void with her passing.
Then Toshao Hildebrand James, of Aishalton , this year’s Heritage Village, invited everyone to come to his community to be part of celebrations, an experience he said they would not regret.
He described his village as one of the fastest developing villages which have much to offer their visitors.
At the launch, the audience was treated to songs and cultural dances from groups from various Amerindian communities, and representatives from Amerindian organisations based in Georgetown brought their greetings for the month-long celebrations.

Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle






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Albert how many amerindian children get scholarships today?

How many go on to schools of higher learning once they have passed CXC?

what is the employment rate for amerindians in Guyana. Show me the data.
HM
The Hinterland Scholarship Programme is a commendable initiative and, the investments by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government are bringing good yields, according to Norman Whittaker, Liaison Officer in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Speaking at the annual hinterland Scholarship graduation, at the Amerindian Village, Sophia , he said that Government is committed to ensuring that every child receives primary, secondary and tertiary education and that “the delivery of quality is being regarded useful and applicable for future development of Guyana”.

Sixty-eight students who hail from across all the Administrative regions with the exception of Five and Eight graduated at that evening’s function.

“We educate you not only for today but for tomorrow, having regards also to government’s determination to ensure that there is equity and in terms of access to quality education in respective to ethnicity, geographical location, cost and culture,” Whittaker said.

He also informed the graduates that Government’s budgetary allocations to the education sector continue to increase annually, moving from $1.7B in 1992 to $24.3B in 2011.

“These allocations have not only been used to improve teaching and learning environment but have also been providing the type of infrastructure and utilities to support and improve school environments for both teachers and students,” Whittaker said.

Testimony of these improvements, he said lies in construction of the recently commissioned dormitory at Liliendaal for the Hinterland Scholarship Students and several newly built schools.

He also said over 90 percent of the teachers in schools in hinterland regions are from their local communities.

“We have moved from that stage where less that 40 percent of hinterland students could have accessed primary education to 100 percent now having access,” Whittaker informed.


Norman Whittaker, Liaison Officer Ministry of Amerindian Affairs addressing the gathering, Amerindian Village Sophia.


“You have come too far to turn back so take the next step into the future …for the Government you graduating students represent a huge investment on which we have only now begun to reap the returns….you are human capital to be harnessed, nurtured and be employed in the many viable areas of development for which there is great need in our country.”

Whittaker also noted that over 50 percent of the hinterland students completing primary education can now have access to secondary and tertiary education under the PPP/C Government.

In further supporting the parents in the hinterland to afford their off springs an education, Whittaker said that the administration embarked on several initiatives including the school uniform and feeding programmes which have been allocated huge sums in the National Budgets for their continuation.

“We will continue to enhance our education system so that not only you but, your brothers and sisters can benefit from a more modernized education system, offering new learning opportunities,” Whittaker said.

The recently launched US$1M education leaning channel and the One Laptop Per Family Programme, he said are just a few of many more good initiatives to come.

He also urged the graduates to help Government in its efforts to raise the level of literacy within their respective communities since it is a “prerequisite for a developing country like ours to move out of poverty”.



Hinterland Scholarship Students Delilah Roth from Monkey Mountain, Region 8, collecting her certificate from Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Collin Croal.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Horse Man:
Albert how many amerindian children get scholarships today?

How many go on to schools of higher learning once they have passed CXC?

what is the employment rate for amerindians in Guyana. Show me the data.


We know of an NGO that provided 10 scholarships in the past year, from the Upper Mazaruni area. The parents are unable to provide transportation cost of G$29,000 for the kids to register for high school and there is no GOG program doing this.
Their other choice is to stay in their village and work in nearby mining camps, with severe consequences.
Tola
Guyana’s hinterland will be further enriched educationally with 68 graduates who completed their secondary, tertiary and technical education through the Government’s Hinterland Scholarship programme.

The hinterland scholarship programme replaced the Amerindian scholarship programme and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is now tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well being of the students to enable them to realize their optimum potential.

Senior Social Worker Rosamund Daly today at the graduation ceremony at the Sophia Exhibition Complex presented the 2010/2011 Annual Report where the academic achievements of the students were highlighted.
In 2010, 72 students who gained over 470 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were awarded scholarships and commenced secondary school throughout the country. Three students from Region Nine are currently attending Queen’s College from the 2010 batch.

Among the top hinterland achievers for the 2010/2011 academic year are Shane Hendricks and Hilton Reuben of President’s College who both averaged over 80 percent each term and Lisa Thakurdin and Ashalisa Insanally of Anna Regina Multilateral were consistent in their academic performance averaging more than 90 percent.

In 2010, 50 students wrote 416 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) and recorded 376 passes or 90.4 percent passes in grades 1 to 3. This figure reflected an increase from 38 students in 2009 who gained a pass rate of 87.8 percent in grades 1 to 3.

Treasure James of Mabaruma, Region One was judged the best hinterland scholarship CSEC student with nine grades ones and one grade two.

Tishanna Allicock of Mackenzie High School gained 10 subjects, Leroy Hendricks of Lethem and Central High School - 11 subjects, Liselle Robertson of North West Secondary – nine subjects, Nikasi Richards of Moruca Secondary -10 subjects, Lila Fredricks of 3-Mile Secondary - 10 subjects, Stephanie Brown of Waramadong Secondary - 10 subjects, Deli Savoury of Anna Regina – eight subjects and Curtis Charles of St. Ignatius Secondary - eight subjects.

The hinterland scholarship programme caters for students who gain 470 to 479 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment to be granted regional scholarships to attend schools in their regions and those with 480 and above are granted national scholarships to attend secondary schools in Georgetown. The students may also opt to remain in their region to complete their secondary if they so desire.
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Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Collin Croal and graduants after collecting their certificates and prizes for outstanding performance and behaviour.
FM
quote:
Three students from Region Nine are currently attending Queen’s College from the 2010 batch.


Thanks for providing the info to part of my quesiton and helping me show you what I am driving at.

A fraction of those kids are actually making it to higher learning institutions and there are no jobs for the rest after that.

Zero they either end up in mining or prostitution.
HM
What started out as a programme to benefit mainly rural areas, the Government’s School Uniform Assistance Programme, is now benefitting thousands of children in Amerindian and hinterland communities as the administration continues to work in closing the education gap between the coastland and the hinterland.


Students from the nursery, primary and secondary levels are now benefitting from the uniform assistance which this year will cost the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) Administration $300M to outfit about 200,000 children.
Of that sum, $63.2M has been spent on materials for children in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine and will benefit over 30,000 students.

Minister Sukhai and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Collin Croal visited communities including St. Ignatius, Kumu, Moco Moco and Nappi where the uniform materials were handed over to head teachers and in some cases the villages’ respective toshaos.

Minister Sukhai in her address to hundreds of residents and students gathered at the various schools for the launch of the programme informed them that development is a long process, but in Guyana it has been happening consistently as Government continues to invest in all sectors, thus creating a better country for its people.



“Over the years more and more Amerindians are being trained in various fields such as education, agriculture and health, and as a Government, investment in our human resources has always been paramount in our priorities,” Minister Sukhai said.

These investments, Minister Sukhai said start with the nation’s children, who are the future of this country.

The extension of the school feeding programme, school uniform programme, annual scholarship opportunities and subsidies for learning material and examination fees are just some of government’s intervention at affording hinterland children the opportunities of an education, despite their geological locations.

“There should be no excuse for children to stay at home or parents to make excuse that their children don’t have a uniform or cannot afford a snack, particularly at the nursery and primary levels,” Minister Sukhai said.

In the hinterland and Amerindian areas, at the nursery level 3585 children will benefit 19993 at the primary level and 6502 at the secondary level.

Minister Sukhai also noted that $19.5 M from the total sum was spent on procuring materials for Region Nine which will benefit 38 nursery, 48 primary and 5 secondary schools.

Contracts for the sewing of uniforms she noted will be awarded to residents of the respective villages at a cost of $600 each.

“When you look at the millions of dollars invested for procurement of materials, transportation and sewing of the uniform …we expect that our children give back to our country, the commitment to do even better every year at their studies,” Minister Sukhai said.

Today, hinterland communities across Guyana can boast of universal access to nursery and primary education. Government continues to invest in the construction of more secondary schools as well in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 to improve in the secondary aspect. These are being built with dormitory facilities to meet the needs of the increasing number of students who are now accessing secondary education including at Sand Creek, St. Ignatius, Annai, Aishalton, Waramadong, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Paramakatoi.

This year, $24.3 B has been allocated towards the continued successful implementation of the National Education Strategic Plan in 2011. Training, infrastructural development, and the school feeding and uniform assistance programmes are among the major aspects.


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FM
Albert let me ask you a question why is it that when we go into amerindian areas to do work we fly in contractors versus hiring people locally to do the work?

How is this empowering the local people in the villages?
HM
Mitwah...what picture are you trying to paint of our Amerindian brothers and sisters...you should be ashamed of yourself and by extension the cake shop party you operates from..
FM
quote:
Originally posted by albert:
Mitwah...what picture are you trying to paint of our Amerindian brothers and sisters...you should be ashamed of yourself and by extension the cake shop party you operates from..


He aint painting any different a picture than you are both are bullshit.
HM
As Indigenous Peoples around the world celebrate the 17th International Day, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs honours Amerindians across all regions of Guyana and all Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Guyana is home to some 70,000 Indigenous people, approximately ten per cent of its total population. Our Amerindian brothers and sisters continue to play a big role in our development. Their sterling contributions in the areas of education, economic and social development, culture, health and human rights do not go unnoticed.

Amerindians have a unique way of life, worthy of emulation. We recognise their contribution in keeping our forests intact especially that the effects of climate change are becoming more evident.

Government of Guyana will continue to foster the agenda for Amerindian development through the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes that will help to alleviate poverty in Amerindian communities and also to foster the integration of Amerindians in the wider society without compromising their distinct culture.

Guyana being a signatory to several international declarations and with the implementation of various pieces of legislations for the protection and promotion of Indigenous people, has seen over the years quantum leaps in Amerindian and hinterland development. Following the principles of free, prior and informed consent, we continue to invest significantly in their development.

With increasing budgetary allocations, Amerindians today, in spite of their geographical locations have better access to an education through the construction of schools in the villages, granting of local and international scholarships for Amerindian students to pursue tertiary and secondary education in various disciplines and health care services via the construction of health centres in almost all the villages and trained Community Health Workers, doctors and other medical personnel. Additionally better road linkages and our investments in income generating projects have boosted the livelihoods of Amerindians. These include our investments in presidential Grants, National Hinterland Secure Livelihood, Land Demarcation and Titling, Hinterland Solar electrification, Road and Water Programmes, School Uniform and our soon to be implemented Community development Plans and Hinterland Housing pilot project are expected to significantly aid in the transformation of village development.

The recently concluded National Toshaos Conference is evidence of our commitment to advancing the indigenous peoples rights to self determination. We believe in partnership with our people for development through community outreaches and dialogue at the highest level of decision making. As we continue o advance this trajectory path of growth, we are reminded of the challenges ahead. Nevertheless, we take this opportunity to reinforce our position of fostering partnership with our indigenous population for our economic advancement. Moreover, the establishment of the constitutional Indigenous Peoples Commission is a manifestation of the Government’s affirmation of the mandate to advance and protect the rights of all Indigenous peoples.

Even as we celebrate the privileges and opportunities of our Amerindian brothers and sisters as Guyanese, who choose to integrate rather than isolate, to cooperate rather than be lackadaisical, to participate rather than depend, we join the struggle of other Indigenous Peoples in the world, in their continuous cause to fight for their lands, languages, and cultural identity that are being eroded and threatened by abuse, whim and caprice of unscrupulous people. The Indigenous People of Guyana do not have to fight these battles as the Government remains their strongest ally.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by albert:
Mitwah...what picture are you trying to paint of our Amerindian brothers and sisters...you should be ashamed of yourself and by extension the cake shop party you operates from..


Albert, what do you call AmerIndian female cooks in mining camps, who are forced to serve the men as part of their job and die from HIV/Aids.
Tola
It is time that we begin to give serious thought to how we will get what is due to us
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER LETTERS

Dear Editor,

As the nation begins its celebration of the government-sponsored Amerindian Heritage Month I can only wonder about the state of the Amerindian Peoples in Guyana today and ask the question: what do we have to celebrate from the government’s perspective?

It has revised the Amerindian Act which virtually gives the administration free reign over the land and other mineral and natural resources of which the Amerindian peoples have been “guardians” for thousands of years; while at the same time, placing restrictions on the scope to which the Amerindians themselves can exploit these resources for their own benefit. The PPP has infiltrated and imposed a value system on many of these communities which continues to induce significant shifts in the world-view of its members which only serves to align them with the dominant (PPP) value-system, at the expense of their own.

The institutionalised process of assimilation of the Amerindian peoples is alive and well. The government continues to institute measures and policies geared to achieving the objectives it has set for itself as far as Amerindians are concerned without genuinely consulting with the communities. The most recent examples of this are the implementation of the LCDS Project and the Solar Panel Project. From our perspective, we do have a lot to celebrate. We have our resilience as a people to deal with the hardships which we still endure today, even after all the governments in my lifetime have “intervened” on our behalf.

We have our traditional, “cultural” knowledge which continues to serve us in good stead as we negotiate our lives and that of our families and communities in the 21st century, and all that this means. We have our lands, which possession and control continues to be the obsession of and ultimate target for appropriation by the PPP, but which they can only happen if we allow them to continue to pursue this agenda; which is being done with the help of some from our own communities.

We have history on our side, but we have to do some serious soul-searching to determine whether we will continue to allow others to define and interpret that history to our continued detriment, or whether we will interpret it and use the new understandings to act in a manner that is appropriate with the natural status bequeathed to us by this history. These are some of the things which we as a people have to celebrate. But celebration (kayap) has its place. And historically, as a people, we only really celebrate when we would have achieved enough to warrant the use of scarce resources for celebration.

The final question I will ask is this. Have we as a people achieved so much that it warrants celebration? I think not. However, we must use this month as one of reflection on the way forward. We have much to do to bring our communities to at least even par with other segments of society. Let us quietly celebrate our heritage as we were taught to by the Elders. We have nothing to celebrate about as far as what governments have done for our communities in my lifetime. The crumbs which they have thrown at us over the years really amount to our share of the national pie which all governments are morally obliged to provide for their citizens.

Figuratively speaking, Amerindian communities have had to make do with the crumbs from the national dinner table. It is time that we begin to give serious thought to how we will get what is due to us. We must stop accepting crumbs from the national dinner table and ensure that we can eat as well as everyone else does. This is what we have to think about as we “celebrate”. I wish all Guyanese, and especially my Amerindian brothers and sisters, a reflective Amerindian Heritage Month, 2011.

Hubert Wong

Source
FM
A Presidential Grant is a monatary award allocated to Amerinidian communities to help them establish income generating projects to advance their growth and development.

The Grant was established in 2007. Release of funds was done on the 26th October 2007 by his Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo. A sum of $150 million was allocated towards meeting the social and economic needs of one hundred and forty (140) communities.

This level of commitment continued in 2008. However in 2009 an additonal twenty (20) communities became eligible for the grants resulting in $160 million being allocated to the Amerindian People.Presidential Grants What are Presidential Grants?
FM
quote:
The institutionalised process of assimilation of the Amerindian peoples is alive and well. The government continues to institute measures and policies geared to achieving the objectives it has set for itself as far as Amerindians are concerned without genuinely consulting with the communities. The most recent examples of this are the implementation of the LCDS Project and the Solar Panel Project. From our perspective, we do have a lot to celebrate. We have our resilience as a people to deal with the hardships which we still endure today, even after all the governments in my lifetime have “intervened” on our behalf.



Their resilience is truly amazing. flag
Mitwah


MITWAH... don't try to assassinate Donald Romotar's character...he has a clean slate, a good son of the soil and is quite capably of carrying the mantle of governance....the electorate will endorse him and by extension the P.P.P/C with the mantle of governance......a victory for the P.P.P/C is a victory for all Guyanese...they will vote P.P.P/C and let progress continue
FM
quote:
Originally posted by albert:
don't try to assassinate Donald Romotar's character...he has a clean slate, a good son of the soil

Dirt is dirt, whichever way you turn the soil with a fork.
Mr.T
quote:
Originally posted by albert:

MITWAH... don't try to assassinate Donald Romotar's character...he has a clean slate, a good son of the soil and is quite capably of carrying the mantle of governance....the electorate will endorse him and by extension the P.P.P/C with the mantle of governance......a victory for the P.P.P/C is a victory for all Guyanese...they will vote P.P.P/C and let progress continue


sachin_05
quote:
Originally posted by albert:

MITWAH... don't try to assassinate Donald Romotar's character.


I can't aSSaSSinate what not's there. If he does have one, then he does not need my help. he is doing a good job all by himself. See how his children got contracts over UG graduates and how about rising up so quickly as part of burgoise Prado class and don't forget the piece of prime real estate for his daughter. I learned these words from Uncle Cheddi; "Neoptism and Croniism."

Tell us about his success factors during his stint with Guysuco.
Mitwah
I wish to take this opportunity to salute our Amerindian brothers and sisters on the occasion of Amerindian Heritage Month. As we all know, our Amerindians are the first people to set foot in this country. Several theories have been forwarded by historians and anthropologists as to exactly how they arrived in this part of the world, but one thing is not in dispute and that is, that all the other ethnic groups came and met them in this land of ours.
Our Amerindian peoples were the only ethnic group that really escaped the trauma and brutality of plantation society. According to historians, attempts were made to use Amerindians to capture slaves who ran away from the horrors of plantation life. These attempts however failed as our Amerindians refused to allow themselves to be used as pawns in the service of the planter class.
It is an established fact that historically our Amerindians were neglected by the colonial government and later on by the PNC regime which treated them as second class citizens. This was evidenced from the fact that there were no proper schools and other facilities in these hinterland communities. For example, there was no secondary school in the whole of Region 8 and only one each in Regions 1 and 9, none of which were preparing students to write the CXC General Examination in a manner that would have allowed them to enter the Public Service or to benefit from tertiary education. The number of hinterland scholarships provided to Amerindian children was not many and only the exceptionally bright were allowed places in the top secondary schools in the city. What this effectively meant was that the system was reproducing a cycle of education mediocrity not designed to uplift these communities culturally and intellectually.
All of this has now changed since the election of the PPP/C administration on October 1992. New secondary schools have been built in all of the hinterland regions and an increasing number of our hinterland children are now matriculated and have access to higher education.
There is a saying that one cannot be educated and be poor at the same time. This saying has particular relevance to our Amerindian peoples who are today much more empowered through education and are now taking the development of their communities literally in their own hands. This is what genuine and sustainable development is all about, one that is internally driven and not, as in the past years, dependent on people from the coastland for the provision of whatever little services were provided by the state.
Today, Amerindians are taking their rightful place in society and are becoming an integral part of the development process not only in their communities, but in the country as a whole. Thanks to the PPP/C, we now have a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and Cabinet ministers who are part of the decision-making process at the highest levels. The government has introduced legislation which gives Amerindians through their elected leaders greater say in the management of their own resources.
Our country is richer for our Amerindians who continue to play an integral role in the transformation of our society. The social and physical landscapes of our Amerindian villages have improved significantly with the construction of new schools, hospitals, health and recreational facilities. All of these interventions have enhanced the quality of life of our indigenous peoples. Indeed, the latest census showed that Amerindians are the fastest growing segment of the population, an indication that the several interventions made by the current administration are impacting positively on the longevity and fertility rate of our Amerindian peoples.

Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
FM
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai addressing residents of Isseneru, a riverine community in the Upper Mazaruni River, Region 7

AMERINDIAN communities in Guyana are becoming more self-sufficient through their involvement in the decision-making process as it relates to economic advancement, as many villages are now actively pursuing income generating projects and activities that are transforming their communities.

Isseneru, a riverine community in the Upper Mazaruni River, Region 7, is one such community which speaks volumes for Amerindian development in Guyana.

Signs of development in Isseneru were very much evident during a recent visit by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and a team from the ministry, along with Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council, Yvonne Pearson, to commission the community’s newest investment, a $25M guest house.

The two - storey concrete and wooden building contains seven rooms, one master suite, kitchen, and dining and living room areas. The building is also equipped with solar power, indoor plumbing and back-up power supply.

Minister Sukhai, prior to the commissioning, told Isseneru residents that many Amerindian communities are becoming more self-sufficient as a result of initiatives that were established over the past 19 years under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration.

The changing landscape, she noted, is testimony to Guyana’s development through access to more educational and health facilities, the availability of potable water, road infrastructure, and social services.

Economic development, she also said, is fast becoming the burgeoning sector at the village level, especially in Isseneru, which has already taken that bold step to boost employment.

“The current generation of Amerindians has taken a different approach to life, an approach that says, ‘we are maturing as a people, we are becoming responsible for our development, and that we are ready and willing to take development into our hands,” Minister Sukhai said.

The opening of the guest house, she noted, is very significant to the village’s history, and will be “even more significant as the village takes bolder steps towards harnessing its development,” Minister Sukhai said.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai cutting the ribbon to officially open the Isseneru guest house

Speaking about Amerindian Heritage Month, Minister Sukhai informed the residents of the grand launch in Georgetown which surpassed the attendance and expectations of the previous years, with all ethnic groups present.

She took the opportunity to urge residents to continue transferring their language to their children, in order for them to be receptive to their culture.

Education, she urged, should become a part of their cultural and personal development, since “without an education, it would be more difficult to realize our dreams and vision for a better life for the present and future generations of Amerindians,” Minister Sukhai said.

Huge sums are allotted annually to ensure that children receive an education; and all regions, including hinterland regions, are benefiting from government interventions by way of uniform materials, hot meals or snacks, text and exercise books, and a more conducive environment for learning.

“As this Heritage Month is being celebrated, let us commit to ensuring that our children and young people receive an education,” Minister Sukhai urged.

More than 90 percent of the teachers in schools in hinterland regions are from the same communities served by the schools, and over 50 percent of the hinterland students completing primary education can now have access to secondary and tertiary education.

Minister Sukhai also told the residents of initiatives on stream that will significantly impact their lives, such as the US$1M TV learning channel that will soon transmit all across the country, and the One Laptop Per Family Programme.

“Government will be equipping each village with a bank of computers, and we expect not payment for this intervention, but that the population, children, young people and adults, will make efforts to be computer literate,” Minister Sukhai urged.

Minister Sukhai also informed the residents of government’s hinterland electrification programme that will see 11,000 households benefiting from solar energy.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai touring the guest house

The 65-watt home systems are expected to arrive in Guyana before the end of this month, and persons from different regions have already begun training to instal and maintain the systems.

Region 7 communities are in line to benefit and the training will be extended to the region shortly.

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry in 2010 was tasked with distributing 1,000, solar panels to 23 communities.

Through the Un-served Areas Electrification Programme, 574 solar panels were distributed to 16 Amerindian communities in Regions 1, 2 and 9.

Amerindians, Minister Sukhai said, should also use the month to reflect on the progress and contributions they have made to national development.

The PPP/C administration has always taken into consideration the views of all its citizens in decision making, which is evident at the governance level with two government ministers being Amerindian.

“Amerindians are making tremendous contributions to this country, which we have never done before,” Minister Sukhai said.

The Isseneru guest house

And while the government is responsible for overall development, Amerindians have shown progress in carving their own destiny. They now enjoy improved health care and other social services, and are also benefiting through the granting of land titles and transports.

Amerindians titled occupation to date accounts for more than 16 percent of Guyana’s land mass.

Minister Sukhai also reflected on the life and work of late Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, who hailed from Waramadong, in Region 7. (GINA)
FM



The Amerindians will not be fooled by the snakeoil salesmen from the cakeshop party...they will endorse the Guyanese party.....the working class party the party that has the interest of the citizens of their front burner...they will endorse the peoples party...all Guyanese will be endorsing the Peoples Progressive Party Civic
FM
As we celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month, it is a good time to reflect on the contributions of our indigenous peoples to the national development process and their unique lifestyle and culture.
While not many Amerindians have excelled in business, commerce and entrepreneurship, they have certainly made their mark in the fields of art, craft, culture, medicine and academia.
On the issue of entrepreneurship, they have had limited opportunities in this regard because of historical, geographic and environmental reasons. Located mainly in the hinterland where commercial and business activities are limited, it is obvious that they would not have gravitated in this direction.
However, that is gradually changing as some communities are becoming hubs of industry, trade and commerce. One such community is Lethem in Region 9 where there is brisk trade between Brazil and our country, particularly since the construction of the Takutu Bridge.
Lethem is also the site of an industrial estate and new housing schemes have sprung up as a result of the hugely successful and massive housing drive by the government.
So Amerindians will have to position themselves to take advantage of the entrepreneurial opportunities that will be available.

That is not to say that they should abandon their traditional way of life. On the contrary, their culture and traditions must be preserved at all costs because those are endowed with a richness and uniqueness that greatly enhance our national cultural tapestry.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Ms. Pauline Sukhai, on a recent visit to the village of Issenuru, alluded to growing Amerindian involvement in economic activities.
She asserted that economic development is fast becoming the burgeoning sector at the village level, especially in Isseneru, which has already taken that bold step to boost employment.

“The current generation of Amerindians has taken a different approach to life, an approach that says, ‘we are maturing as a people, we are becoming responsible for our development, and that we are ready and willing to take development into our hands,” Minister Sukhai said.

The opening of the guest house, she noted, is very significant to the village’s history, and will be “even more significant as the village takes bolder steps towards harnessing its development.”
Amerindian history and culture are integrally woven into our nation’s history, art and culture, without which its richness would be significantly decreased.
It must be acknowledged first and foremost that this country began with our indigenous peoples because they were the first people to live here. There are many theories as to how they got here but the undeniable fact is they were the first to set foot on this soil.
However, they endured centuries of oppression and exploitation at the hands of our colonial masters who attempted to use them as catchers of runaway slaves but they refused to become appendages of the colonisers.
Despite enduring such a long period of suffering and marginalization, today Amerindians have excelled and are excelling in various fields such as medicine, art, craft, culture, and in various professions and academic fields.

With respect to the latter, one of our foremost anthropologists and academics was the late Dr. Desrey Fox who was the Minister within the Ministry of Education at the time of her unfortunate death.

Also, our first female international football referee, Dianne Ferreira-James is an Amerindian. But these are just two examples as they are many more who have reached the pinnacle in their respective fields.

But while Amerindians may not have contributed to economic development as much as other sections of the Guyanese society, their contributions are unique, invaluable and irreplaceable as the development of a nation’s culture is as equally important as material development.
This readily brings to mind the words of Albert Camus: “Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future."

Source
FM

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