-despite minor setback

A FIFTY-FOOT Totem Pole is expected to be erected in Georgetown to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, has said.

A Totem Pole is a pole-like sculpture featuring carvings of symbols or figures. They depict the rich, diverse culture of the Indigenous Peoples, who are believed to have been the first to live in this

part of the hemisphere.

The idea to have a Totem Pole was conceptualized last year after a meeting between the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, and Minister Allicock. This was one of the activities which are to be planned, and executed by the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Celebration.

And speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, Minister Allicock explained that a smaller Totem Pole is currently being transported across administrative regions of Guyana in an idea that mirrors that of the Olympic Torch being transported across national boundaries prior to the Olympic Games.

This smaller pole, he said, has already travelled through three regions, with the last stop being made in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Esequibo) for the recently concluded Rodeo. He noted that this Totem Pole will be transported to the other seven regions as activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Celebration pick up.

The plan is to erect the fifty-foot Totem Pole in the compound which currently houses the Umana Yana, recently rebuilt by the same Ministry.

With the crafting of such a piece of art being no easy job, Minister Allicock revealed, expertis e was sought and an artist has developed a drawing of what the Totem Pole should look like. He noted that there was a minor setback, because the artist who developed the idea could not find favour with the price the Indigenous Affairs Ministry was willing to pay him to construct the pole. As such, the Ministry was forced to find a solution, which was subsequently implemented.
“We could not come to an agreement, and so we paid him for the design and we sought and found a new artist that is willing to work with what we can afford. So we are back on track,” Minister Allicock related.

Additionally, the Minister noted that his Ministry is currently working to develop a programme through which it would contribute to the country’s anniversary celebrations this year.

He explained that the process is a lengthy one, given that consultations with stakeholders — including the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and representatives from other indigenous groups and associations — must be facilitated.

Those consultations would then be formulated into a single plan, which the Indigenous People’s Ministry would use as its guide to play its part in the country’s activities.