The Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry launched the annual Heritage Festival at the Umana Yana, in Georgetown on Wednesday, under the theme “Guyana’s first peoples; sustaining a rich cultural environment”. The launch was done in the spirit of International Day of World Indigenous Peoples.
Amerindian Heritage Month 2017 is geared at celebrating Guyana’s first peoples by reflecting on their contributions and to protect, pursue and promote Indigenous heritage while trying to recapture lost traditions.
Minister within the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, highlighted the struggles of Indigenous peoples in their fight for equal rights, not confined to Guyana but rather on an international scale.
“In many countries, (including) in our South American continent many Indigenous peoples still suffer injustices simply because they are the first peoples and they want to be recognised as such. Many are advocating and literally fighting for their lives, for their lands and some of the most outspoken; some of the bravest have died for this cause,” the Minister lamented.
She reflected on her 2016 visit to Ecuador, where Indigenous women had gathered to discuss the concerns of Indigenous peoples and the way forward and was amazed at the indignities that fellow Indigenous peoples had to suffer in this modern day and age.
“I realised then how far advanced Guyana was as a nation in the treatment of Indigenous peoples,” she noted.
The Minster reflected on the policies implemented by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration to improve the livelihood of Indigenous peoples across Guyana; making reference to the Amerindian Land Titling Project and the recently inaugurated Tomato sundry factory in Paramakatoi which is expected to bring revenue to the village as well as neighbouring communities in the Potaro-Siparuni region.
She also indicated that the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) had applied for and was successfully granted a plot of land for the construction of a secretariat.
Minister Garrido-Lowe further pronounced on the Government’s commitment to close the existing gap between rural and coastal regions.
“Governments, past and present, have been working with our Indigenous peoples to ensure that lands are legally owned by villages and communities across Guyana. This process is ongoing through the Amerindian Land Titling project. Also we have the Amerindian development projects which are the livelihood projects and these are ongoing in 160 communities right now. In Paramakatoi, Government with the assistance from the Canadian High Commission has invested G$64 million in the sundried tomato project that will bring revenue that will bring ease… that will bring comfort to the people of Paramakatoi and neighbouring communities. Farmers will be earning as they should, they will be able to support their families with dignity as they should. The NTC, we have a National Toshaos Council and I was informed that recently they have asked the President for land and they have received an allocation,” Garrido-Lowe stated.
This year’s calendar of activities was also unveiled at Wednesday’s launch which will kick-start with a ceremonial launch and cultural extravaganza on September 1, 2017, at the Sophia Exhibition Centre in Georgetown. Ovid Williams presented an overview of the cultural aspect of the month’s celebrations.
Trailing the opening ceremony will be the Art/Craft and Food exhibitions, the heritage sports, reflection on the life and work of first Indigenous parliamentarian, Steven Campbell; the heritage dinner at Lions Club and the much anticipated Miss Indigenous Heritage Pageant showcasing elegance, beauty and culture.
The event was graced by members of the Indigenous Peoples Ministry, NTC’s Vice Chairman, Lennox Shuman and other representatives from non-governmental organisations.
The gathering saw performances by a female Indigenous (Akawaio) dance group called “The Riverside Angels”, comprising triplets and another sibling who enthralled the audience with their creative choreography. This year’s winner of the Jingle competition, “Mr Pakuri”, also performed his award-winning song followed by a soulful solo piece by a talented youngster, titled, “Indigenous Man”.
In a final question and answer segment, members of the public were open to pose questions to the organising committee and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry. This year’s jingle winner grasped the opportunity to raise concerns in the line of music, making suggestions to the Minister to have allowances or programmes geared at assisting Indigenous youths in realising, nurturing and marketing their talent.
Minister Garrido-Lowe responded by saying that the Ministry has a section for culture, more specifically language, but she assured that music would be added to the agenda among other arts such as poetry and writing.
