President encourages Amerindians to preserve rich heritage

Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations kicked off last Saturday night at the Amerindian village in Sophia Exhibition Site, with President Donald Ramotar urging Amerindians to preserve their culture. He warned that if they allow their languages to die, it would be the beginning of the end of their culture.

Focusing on the theme of the celebrations, the head of state said, “a person who is not rooted in his heritage loses his identity, and is thus akin to a rolling stone”. He added that Amerindians must continue to pass on their culture to the younger generation. He reiterated government’s support towards the preservation of the Amerindian culture and languages, which is indispensable to the protection of their identity. President Ramotar outlined government’s agenda towards the continued development of Amerindian hinterland communities through major projects, including road networks and electrification. He noted that the attempts by the parliamentary opposition parties to correct their mistake of cutting the national budget had delayed a number of initiatives.
The president stated, however, that “this experience has strengthened the resolve of government to reject and resist attempts to stymie government’s support for greater development in the hinterland”.
He added that in order to move Guyana forward and not imperil national development, all political parties need to be responsible and work together. That the indigenous people will be the central part of Guyana’s development clearly shows that there is reason for celebration, the president added.
Meanwhile, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai stated that government had taken great steps to preserve the Amerindian’s rights and heritage. “Cultural protection has also found a place in the Amerindian Act of 2006,” she stated. She said leaders are legally mandated to preserve the Amerindian traditional way of life.
Minister Sukhai echoed the president’s sentiments on the preservation of the culture and identity of Amerindians and recommitted her ministry’s support towards this. Other activities during Amerindian Heritage Month will include cultural presentations, indigenous craft exhibitions, food and craft tents, and other events at the Amerindian Village, Sophia.
On Heritage Day, September 8, the grand heritage village celebrations will take place at Micobie Village, Region Eight, while the Sports & Fun weekend will take place in Georgetown at the Carifesta Sports Complex on September 15 and 16. The annual heritage walk showcasing the active lifestyle of Amerindians will take place on Sunday, September 23, while the children will be involved in mural painting at the Kitty seawall on September 22-23 from 09: 00h daily. The celebrations will wind down with a dinner on September 28 at the Regency Suites Hotel in Hadfield Street.