A new dispensation for Guyana’s indigenous people

Dear Editor,
Our indigenous people must never be taken for granted. They have been neglected for too long, but over the last decade or so, there have been noticeable, positive changes in this regard. Generally, indigenous people want to retain local forms of organisation to defend their culture and livelihoods. Many have witnessed the collapse of their traditions under the burden of poverty, and believe that they must now reject their ethnic identity and integrate into society if they are to improve their living conditions. Guyana, however, is taking steps to ensure the preservation of the heritage and culture of its indigenous people.
I make reference here to schooling alone where significant strides have been made in 2012 in improving education delivery in the hinterland regions. The Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s efforts are very encouraging: some 62 students graduated from the hinterland scholarship programme while attending both secondary schools and technical institutes; 30,000 hinterland pupils benefitted from the national uniform distribution programme – the project amounted to Gy$76 million. The upkeep and enhancement of the Liliendaal student dormitory is also yielding positive results – of the 40 resident students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams last year, some 85 per cent secured grades one to three passes. This kind of return is evidence that a vision for nation building is something not to take lightly.
Investing in indigenous peoples was one of the major initiatives embarked on by this government. It started with the introduction of the presidential grant programme in 2007 under the aegis of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. This provided for Amerindian communities to receive monetary installments aiding in their general development. Initially, Gy$150 million was allocated towards meeting the social and economic needs of 140 communities, and now there are more communities coming on board and more money being invested –– approximately Gy$323 million over the last two years in presidential grants alone.
This input plays out in projects such as the construction of village shops; passenger, cargo, and fishing boats; minibuses; tractors and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), all in an effort to improve life at the village level – where too much exploitation used to take place. In Guyana, legislative reforms and the signing of treaties and accords are being taken very seriously. Many countries have the written word, but nothing comes out of it, as groups still experience a double form of discrimination because of their low economic standing, poor level of formal education, and language, dress and other cultural manifestation.
Sometimes what little land they own is generally insufficient to support them, so many seek paid work from employers who then generally treat them disrespectfully. Guyana is doing great in looking after its indigenous groups and this must continue to be so. They have an invaluable contribution to make at every level.
Yours faithfully,
Dwane Perreira