Preservation of Amerindian culture takes centre stage

Educator and flautist Johnny Kent, commonly called JJ Kent, a Native American from the United States of America who is currently in Guyana on a six-day visit on Monday paid a courtesy call on Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai.
Kent, accompanied by United States Embassy Public Relations Officer Tabatha Fairclough, lauded the Amerindian Affairs Ministry for its stewardship in promoting and conserving Amerindian culture. He stated that while the visit presents him a unique opportunity for presentations on native culture, he will also be sharing some of his musical skills on the indigenous flute.
“The flute for me is an important aspect of my culture as it depicts your inner feelings… the history of the flute dates back to courtship. When a man is interested in a woman, he plays his heart out from a flute at her family home… that would be the demonstration of his intentions,” Kent explained.
Minister Sukhai in welcoming Kent to Guyana enlightened him on the ministry’s five-year indigenous people’s development model.

Kent will be sharing his talent and knowledge on indigenous culture with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the toshaos and people of Surama and St Cuthbert’s Mission which he will be visiting.
“This is a very important opportunity for Mr. Kent to be visiting with indigenous peoples across Guyana during his six-day stay…. it is also important as we (the ministry), is gearing to host our annual heritage celebration where he would celebrate the culture and life of our people,” she said.
The development and preservation of Amerindian languages are a key focus of the ministry’s indigenous people’s development model, as government intensifies its effort to sustain the Amerindian culture.
According to Minister Sukhai, five indigenous language dictionaries have, thus far, been developed, and work is moving apace to have the remaining four completed shortly. This aspect of the ministry’s work was lauded by Kent, as he stated that languages are a way of life and should be sustained.
“I am very happy that your government is working to preserve indigenous languages… I am, personally, a strong believer that the key to your identity is your language. If you lose your language, you lose your heritage,” Kent said.
Amerindian Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall pointed out that Amerindians are important to Guyana as they contribute significantly to development through their culture and way of life.
Kent was also briefed on some of government’s development programmes for hinterland communities, including the Gy$256 million from the Kingdom of Norway grant, which will be used to support transformation projects in communities and the presidential grants programme.