Ever since the PPP/C government came to office in 1992 following the historic October 5 1992 elections, which saw the return of democracy, great emphasis has been placed on development in Amerindian communities.
This is not to say that there are not problems in those communities which have to be addressed, however, living conditions and facilities have been significantly improved because of a deliberate policy by the government to address the needs and problems of the Amerindian people.
That is why early on, the late President Cheddi Jagan established for the first time in the history of this country a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which was headed by Mr. Vibert DeSouza, followed by Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who is now Foreign Minister, and currently Ms. Puline Sukahai.
The previous administration paid scant attention to Amerindian development and virtually neglected all Amerindian problems, which no doubt contributed to the famous Rupununi uprising. Amerindians who lived in the communities bordering Venezuela and Brazil adopted a migratory life as they travelled regularly across the borders in search of jobs, food and other necessities.
Getting licences for their hunting firearms was most difficult and as such they had torrid time battling wild animals which frequently destroyed their crops and obtaining chemicals to control acoushi ants and other pests was also a difficulty. Medical and educational facilities were also almost non-existent in many of the communities. So while life generally was a harsh one for most Guyanese at that time, it was even harsher for the Amerindians who probably survived because of their natural survival skills.
Today most Amerindian communities have schools, medical facilities, doctors and other medical personnel. And with respect to education through a distance education programme teachers within the communities are being trained. This has been unprecedented. Electricity through solar and other facilities is now available in many communities and this has aided the development of many cottage industries in the Amerindian communities. Help has also been forthcoming for agricultural development as many of the communities have been assisted with agricultural machinery and tools. Transportation has been boosted too with the granting of tractors, boats and engines to several communities.
Only recently the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs handed over $14M worth of equipment to Toshaos of Regions One and Nine, as part of government’s ongoing efforts to improve the lives of indigenous people living in remote communities. The equipment includes a $6.25M John Deere tractor with a 60-tonne trailer which was given to Katoonarib village, Region Nine, and a Toyota minibus to Karaburi, Region One, valued $2M. They were all purchased with funds from presidential grants.
One hundred and seventy 15-watt solar panels were also purchased at a cost of $5.95M, under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP).  Thirty five of the panels will be given to Tiger Pond, 25 to Paipang, 65 to Katoonarib and 45 to Parikwarunau, all villages in Region Nine.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, noted that the equipment and machinery will help to curb the transportation crisis in those communities.
The solar units will provide electricity to the households and will “aid children having to do their studies at night”.
She also noted that the Ministry, through its mandate, will continue to make similar donations to other communities, as part of the holistic approach by the government to develop the lives of Guyana’s first people.
On a macro level, as anticipated, the Takutu Bridge in Lethem has become a stimulus for trade and commerce and economic and industrial activities are rapidly growing in Lethem and its environs.
And Lethem is now poised to become a township and this will further boost its growth which will help lift the standard of living of Amerindians.
The continuous growth of the Amerindian population is an indicator that their living standard is on the rise. Their population is now about 8% up from pre-1992 period when it was about 5%.