By Margaret Burke

Indigenous Heritage Month 2019 is indeed worthy to be celebrated – as was within the passing years. However, this year’s celebration is precious and should be highlighted as a significant one, where undeniably there is much to celebrate. Heritage – the recognition of the inheritance; the true culture and custom; a birth-right that the government of the APNU+AFC coalition places much emphasis on for the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

Four ministers of the APNU+AFC coalition government have so far been selected from among our Indigenous community as ministers of the government. There are two ladies and two gentlemen and these are young men and women who are ‘worth their salt’, like all the other ministers of the government. In fact, a study of their background would indicate that all of them were chosen because of their hard work, dedication and most importantly, their recognition within their own communities and in-groups.

The author is of the view that occasions such as these (Indigenous Heritage Month 2019) are more than appropriate to acknowledge the work of some members of the family of the APNU+AFC coalition. Within the culture of the Indigenous Peoples, these ministers are warriors – resolute in the battle and can only win when they are able to set good examples within their various communities and the members that follow them.

Joseph M Marshall III in his book, ‘The Power of Four’, said that leadership is rather demonstrated than thought; and that it “represented selflessness, morality, experience, honesty and responsibility. His philosophical approach is that such a leader should know his or her self, know his friends, know his enemy, while being at the forefront. The message in Marshall III’s book is that ‘leadership by example is more powerful than leadership by power’.

MAJESTIC CULTURAL HERITAGE
Each government minister representing Indigenous culture also represents a different tribe, as well as hinterland communities within Guyana. They range from being artistic – using a wide range of natural materials found right where they are; skilled construction workers and industrious and business-oriented in their own ways, adaptable, very friendly but could have also known to be warlike. Many of them are also professionals.

Minister of State, Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, was born and bred in the small Akawaio village of Kako in the Upper-Mazaruni of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven. But right at the top of the regions, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon Valerie Garrido-Lowe, was raised in the village of Moruca in Region One.

On the other hand, the two gentlemen as ministers are from Regions One and Nine respectively. Guyana’s Fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs hails from the North Rupununi, Upper-Takutu/Upper-Essequibo in Region Nine. Then in Riversview, a village located in Region 10 (Upper-Demerara/Upper Berbice) and also the village where this year’s Indigenous Heritage Month 2019 was launched, is where our Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton – an Ophthalmologist by profession, was raised.

Each of these hinterland villages possesses a distinctively rich, but diverse cultural heritage, yet the people are similar in so many ways – somewhat cautious but sociable and mostly industrious. Most, if not all of the Indigenous Peoples love the land and or water, which they utilise as means of employment, to find food, as well as for pleasurable activities.

A SUPPORTIVE GOVERNMENT
With the government of the APNU+AFC coalition in place from 2015, there have been endless efforts to continually respect and support the culture of our Indigenous families. At the same time, it is the vision of President Granger to bridge the gap between the hinterland and coastland, simply by way of education.

For the past four years he has been constantly underscoring – like a melody – the fact that education is the enabler, which will position the people of this country to be better qualified in every respect, get good jobs and ultimately a better life. He has made no bones about it, especially for the people living in the hinterland, many of whom form the largest part of our Indigenous population.

In fact, like in many of his addresses, President Granger discussed the importance the coalition government places on education as he spoke on youth development on International Youth Day.

“There was a time (he said) when Hinterland education was the stepchild of the education system, but it is part of our policy to take education to the students, to the communities, rather than have the students come to the towns.”

He went further, “I feel that education is going to help to open people’s eyes to the need for equality. It’s not just about getting a certificate, but having that certificate, having that qualification, you will be able to compete on an equal basis with children from other regions.” And he added, “My mission is to have a first-class secondary school in every region, in every capital town.”

ACTION PLAN
This is the perfect plan of the President and his coalition government – that every Indigenous child; every child in Guyana is given the opportunity to attain the best of an education system that is constantly evolving. The President’s Five Bs’ initiative is also serving to drive the education plan.

Many more children are in schools today. They are being equipped to attend classes, have some of the necessary resources to inform them, as well as the means of nutrition that is a requirement to keep them going. This is part of a holistic plan – one that is directly related to ensuring that children attend school and learn. On the other hand it is a plan that was consciously designed to lend support to parents, while putting other systems in place to make them become more economically viable.

APPLAUDING THE FOUR
Every brother and sister celebrating this Indigenous Heritage Month (2019) should be applauded, with no exception. But allow applause to be given to some of the leading figures such as Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams, Guyana’s first Indigenous Minister of State, as well as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

These ladies continue to have very interesting political lives, both starting from an early age. They have accomplished much and are driving forces, with promise for the achievements of many more successes.

A former Toshao of Annai, Hon. Sydney Allicock, MS, and MP is Guyana’s Fourth Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. He also has a remarkable political career that the nation recognises. A pioneer of Indigenous Heritage Day, as well as a pioneer for many developmental projects within the hinterland, Minister Allicock is also concerned about the careful use of the natural resources of Guyana and a visionary for community-based tourism. He is also a prolific writer and poet and tutor.

This leaves Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, still holding the mantle of good leadership. He holds the position of a vice-chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), a member of the Central Executive Committee and has served as the Party Director of Hinterland Affairs. As a vibrant representative of Indigenous communities throughout Guyana, he takes a special interest in sports, youth and culture, and is strong in advocating for the rights of the Indigenous Peoples. He also served as the Minister of Public Health.

His vision, like that of the government, is to see a unified Guyana with equal opportunities and benefits for all.