MINISTER within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Ms Valerie Garrido-Lowe has revealed that turning of the sod to signal reconstruction of the Umana Yana will be held during Amerindian Heritage Month in September. This was disclosed on Wednesday by the minister during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle. The historical structure was destroyed by fire late last year.

“During the Heritage Month, we will turn the sod at the formerly known location, to let everybody know that we intend to rebuild the structure,” she said.
According to the minister, as the First Peoples, their presence ought to be known, and the Umana Yana serves as a symbol of the Amerindian’s presence in Guyana.
When asked if the structure will be rebuilt as it was before, Minister Lowe said, “The Wai-Wais built it, so they would like to keep the tradition alive.”
Meanwhile, she alluded to the fact that more focus will be placed on the “indigenous-ness”, as they intend to work towards highlighting their diverse cultures to the best of their ability.
Currently, renovation of the benabs at the Sophia Exhibition Centre have begun, and also ideas are flowing in terms of making the month as cultural and as indigenous as possible.
The minister encouraged persons who will be participating in this year’s events to create everything with “indigenous-ness” in mind, and celebrate the Heritage Month to the best of their abilities.