PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds Sunday morning participated in a commemorative walk in recognition of Amerindian Heritage Month, being celebrated under the theme “Promoting sustainable livelihood and cultural heritage while transforming our village economies.” The walk started from the Umana Yana, culminating at the Botanical Gardens.
The activity is one of many planned by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to celebrate and showcase the myriad aspects of history, life and the contemporary development of Guyana’s indigenous people.

The Prime Minister contextualized the significance of the walk, highlighting that it is impossible to change history, referring to the experiences of Amerindians during and after the European voyages of exploration, and the importance of creating a harmonious future for Guyana, and in the best interest of Amerindians.
He said, “What we have to do is develop trust in all that are here presently, irrespective of race and religion. We are all human beings and should be building a future based on trust, through working together and bonding together.”
Permanent Secretary Collin Croal apologized for the absence of Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, who is recovering from the flu. He noted that the walk gives participants the opportunity, “to experience that which our Amerindian brothers and sisters experience every day, trekking hours to get to a centralized location, and school children having to paddle for hours. It is only fitting that those persons on the coastland realize some of the benefits of easy access to resources.”
Croal further noted Government’s prioritization of ensuring that there is improvement in the lives of Amerindians and development within villages and surrounding communities. In this regard, it was highlighted that two boat engines were handed over Saturday to support the enhancement of transportation within these locations where travel by boat is a common practice. .
The Permanent Secretary also pointed to Government’s budgetary allocations, geared to provide for Amerindian communities either directly through the Ministry, or indirectly, through others, such as Education and Health, whereby resources such as all terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, engines and solar panels are given to residents as a response to their basic needs and to support the development of a sustained livelihood.

As part of Heritage Month celebrations, there is also the observation of Wellness Month, and Caribbean Wellness Day, normally observed on the second Saturday of September, in keeping with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concerns about Caribbean wellness and its promotion.
As a result, there was specific collaboration between the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Health, with Minister Bheri Ramsaran walking on behalf of his entity. He congratulated both ministries for collaborating on the activity, encouraging that “We should become a healthy nation of people who are walk fanatics.”
He emphasized that Guyanese must be conscious of and committed to the fight against chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which can be overcome through behavioural change, and the inculcation of healthy lifestyles.
To the young participants, the Minister said, “You are change agents.” (GINA)