– Minister Sukhai at Interfaith service for Heritage month
AS the precursor to the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs held an interfaith service at the Umana Yana in Kingston on Tuesday. Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai noted that religion, especially the various denominations of Christianity, has always been central to the lives of Amerindians in Guyana. It was only fitting that such an event usher in the month of celebratory activities for Guyana’s first people, the Minister said.
As part of the service, there were prayers from the Bahai’  Faith, brought by Alexi La Rose;  the Muslim religion represented by Imam Shaeed Mohammed of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana(CIOG); Pandit  Bramhanand Prashad on behalf of the Hindu faith and Father John Persaud of the Catholic denomination.
Pastor Onesi La Fleur of the Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, after praying, exhorted the gathering to make a positive contribution to all Amerindians in Guyana. Recalling the biblical story of the good Samaritan, Pastor La Fleur said that what is needed is a consistent hand up from the rest of the population. La Fleur posited that historically, Amerindians have always excelled at the opportunities afforded to them and this alone should engender selflessness from their Guyanese brothers and sisters.
Also part of the programme were several cultural items in native Amerindian languages. The Christian Life Centre Choir sang hymns in Patamona, Macushi and Wapishiana.  There was a dance by some current students of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and chanting in Akawaio by the Halleluiah Group of Jawalla, Region Seven.
Present at the service were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran; Permanent Secretary, Amerindian Affairs Ministry Colin Croal; Permanent Secretary, Local Government Ministry Nigel Dharamlall; members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the armed forces.
Amerindian Heritage Month kicked off yesterday with a grand launch at the Amerindian Village, National Exhibition Center, Sophia.