“WE must be a very proud people. We, the Indigenous People of the world, have been the keepers of God’s forests. All humanity now depend on the sacrifice and the hard work of our forbears; we must continue their works.”

This assertion was made by the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, at the launch of this year’s celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month at the Amerindian Village in Sophia.

Minister Allicock also urged the entire gathering to celebrate their historic journey to present-day.

The rich and diverse culture of Guyana’s first inhabitants, the Indigenous Peoples, is significantly showcased during the annual Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations. This year’s activities, the minister noted, will be celebrated under the theme: “Preserving Indigenous Customs and Traditions”.

Indigenous Heritage Month, formerly Amerindian Heritage Month, originated on September 10, 1957 when Guyanese Stephen Campbell became the first Amerindian selected to be a Member of Parliament.

“In honour of the first Indigenous Parliamentarian, who has paved the way for future politicians, I bring you greetings of unity during this month,” Minister Allicock announced.

He said: “The Government has signalled its intention to do all that is necessary to ensure a sustainable utilisation of our national patrimony. And as we celebrate, let us reflect on the value of what our forbears have left for us.”

The minister related that “The First People” are known for the distinctive dialects of the Warrau, Arawak, Wapisiana, and Carib languages. The Indigenous Peoples are known for their craft-making skills and unique array of foods that are usually made from cassava and other ground provisions; and the heritage celebration allows the wider Guyanese populace to experience the Indigenous culture in a profound way.

He urged all Guyanese to take some time to partake in their culture, and assured the Government that the Indigenous People stand resolute with them.

“We are a special people, and (we) need to understand that life is too short to be negative. Our future depends on the positive vibrations outputted by all, our support for the eco-system and the management of our natural resources,” he declared as he reminded his people that unity is important if the country is to progress into the future. (Rebecca Ganesh)

(Photo by Adrian Narine)