A historic day for the Amerindian community was last Wednesday, 15 Sept, when the members of the Indigenous Peoples Commission were sworn in by the President at the Office of the President in New Garden Street, Georgetown. Members of the Commission span a broad framework in Guyana’s society.  They are Doreen Jacobis, Joseph De Souza, Yvonne Pearson, David James, Patricia Singh, George Simon, Fr. Malcolm Rodriques, Norman Whittaker, Jerry Gouveia and Damian Fernandes.
Speaking after the swearing in ceremony, President Bharrat Jagdeo said that it is really a good day for the country since Government has been trying for a long time to put in places all of the commissions that are part of the new Constitution.
“We have managed with hard work to get the Indigenous People’s Commission sworn in. We anticipate that we [the Executive] will work closely with the Commission to ensure that Indigenous People’s rights are protected and that there is an advancement of their cause,” he said.
The President added that Guyana is a unique country “where we have a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, several dedicated Ministers at the Cabinet level and now we have a Constitutional Commission for Indigenous People.” He spoke of the Amerindian Act which sets out a whole series of rights for Indigenous Peoples. “I think our example is used around the world,” he said.
“In fact, I was speaking with someone from the World Bank who came from the Philippines and he was saying that Guyana has the second best policy in the world in relation to Indigenous People. Of course he named the Philippines as the first, but I don’t believe him,” he said amusedly, obviously buoyed by the occasion.