THE current  gathering of  Amerindian Toshaos at the Guyana International Conference Centre for a five-day  confab under the theme ‘Advancing Development in a Low Carbon Environment’ is perhaps the most  important meeting of these chieftains to date, as they discuss matters critical to their individual communities’ welfare, and to their general well being as a people.

This particular gathering, the fact of it taking place, is once again recognition from the PPP/C administration that the Amerindians are an equal segment of the Guyanese society  whose views have a right to be expressed.

For there are still those quarters that are bent on perpetuating the traditional view, despite the numerous efforts at social and economic programmes in the Hinterland communities, that the Amerindians are still a neglected people and are conveniences in the administrations’  political plans.

Such a perception is not only unfortunate but, at best, unfair and a stereotype. It can only be an alien who will conclude such lies and gross misrepresentations.

Of course, for a people who have experienced decades of neglect, it is a mammoth task to implement and enact  socio-economic strategies for them and the development of their communities, and their eventual integration into the mainstream of improvement.

There are many issues that has to be resolved, among them being: how does one balance the newness of change against the desire to retain tradition in these indigenous areas? But there can be no doubt as to the Government’s commitment  and resolve to work with the leaders and their communities to finalise such questions.