THIS month has been set aside as Amerindian Heritage Month to celebrate the achievements of Amerindians, highlight their culture and history, foods, craft and focus on their villages etc and this is another demonstration of the government’s respect for its commitment to the development all the people of Guyana, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
It was always the burning desire of the revered late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan to uplift the lot of our indigenous people who were brutalised and ruthlessly exploited by the colonisers as well as the autocratic government of the PNC. Amerindians were virtually relegated to third class citizens and could not have accessed higher education and health services, were denied employment opportunities and in general were marginalized.
In the early days of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) even though it had the interest of the Amerindians at heart, limited resources did not allow it to visit their villages which are mostly found in interior and remote areas and therefore very costly. But as the party garnered increasing resources it intensified its work among the Amerindians and championed their interests in and out of government.
Out of government the PPP agitated for demarcation of Amerindian lands, better education and health facilities and called for measures to be implemented to alleviate the suffering of the Amerindian people.
And so when the PPP assumed office in 1992 one of the first moves President Jagan made was to establish a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, with an Amerindian, Vibert DeSouza becoming the first Minister of Amerindian Affairs and ever since then the government has been working persistently to better living conditions of Amerindians and provide greater opportunities for education and employment as well better health care. In this regard, scores of health facilities, schools and hostels have been built and a hinterland scholarship programme has been implemented. In addition, many communities now receive electricity mainly through solar generation, potable water supply, improved roadways and many have boats and engines to help transportation. And of course a great headway has been made in the demarcation of lands which was a sore issue of Amerindians for a very long time because it was never addressed in any systematic and comprehensive manner by the previous government.
Certainly, all of the problems of the Amerindians have not been solved and poverty is still relatively high in many communities but definitely their lot has improved as a result of policies and programmes aimed at Amerindian development. That is why today Amerindians are making greater academic achievements and are asserting themselves in all facets of national life and becoming more integrated into our society.
No longer are the Amerindians suffering from governmental neglect and marginalization and the government has made it clear that as greater resources become available more hinterland developmental programmes would come on stream. One of President Jagdeo’s vision with the LCDS is to use finances garnered from it for Amerindian development and welfare.
Our Amerindian brothers and sisters have a rich history and culture which have immensely enriched the national tapestry cultural diversity.
It was therefore a most wise decision to set aside a month to acknowledge, reflect and celebrate the achievements and highlight the culture of the people who first set foot on our soil.