– calls for revisiting village agenda on language, culture preservation

AS conversation continues on the preservation of Amerindian culture in Guyana, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai has once again expressed her concern over some aspects of Amerindian culture that are at risk of becoming “extinct”. 

Minister Sukhai was speaking in the 2014 Amerindian Heritage village of Karrau, Region 7 (Cuyuni Mazaruni) when she called on Guyana’s first settled people to “make a commitment to keep your culture alive.” Proposing a solution to the dilemma of dying indigenous languages, Sukhai suggested that the first step is to include the “language aspect” on the village agenda.
“We believe that when Amerindians lost their language… it is a great loss to the individual and the community.” She solemnly expressed the commitment of her ministry to “ensure that your language is preserved.”

LANGUAGE REVIVAL PROJECT
To this end, Minister Sukhai stated that the Government of Guyana had implemented the Arawak Language Project in 2013, in an attempt to preserve the rich heritage of the Arawak people. Commenting on the progress of the initiative, the Minister disclosed: “We will be graduating 80 students who have had one academic year of being trained to speak the Arawak language.”
The Amerindian Affairs Minister said that “these students range from four to 18 [years].” She added that the situation at present is one where “we have a very short supply of expertise in the Arawak language… [and these] 80 students will be the launching pad for the skill, for the language, and even for the expertise to be available when there is a much more comprehensive focus on the language.”

SANTA ROSA LAUNCH
Further, Minister Sukhai noted that the Finance Ministry has made a commitment to expand the language preservation project into other communities.
According to her, “I am assured by the Minister of Finance that we can continue to move to launch the Arawak Language [Project] in Santa Rosa” in Region 1 (Barima-Waini). She added that Santa Rosa has been pinned as one of the villages of key focus for “retaining the Arawak language.”
Sukhai added that priority focus has been placed on the Arawak language because, “all the other seven nations continue to speak their language.”
She named the Wai Wai, Arikunas, Akawaios, Patamonas, Macusis, Wapishiana, and the Caribs as being indigenous nations which have sought to preserve their languages.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister lauded the Carib nation saying, “they continue to be very proud Amerindians, and we must congratulate them for ensuring that very distinct and very focused position of retaining language remains for them.”
Sukhai urged that the tribes of concern be diligent in ensuring that their culture is kept alive.
While in Karrau, this publication met with one elderly resident in the village who only identified herself as Elaine. She too expressed concerns that there were very few persons in the village who spoke the Arawak language.
Asked whether she would wish to play a role in reviving and preserving the language by teaching some younger residents from the village, she answered in the affirmative. Further questioned if she had indicated her willingness to teach those who were interested, she said with a winced expression, “they don’t want to learn.”

(By Derwayne Wills)