…Toshaos deem meeting a success
OVER 160 Toshaos from across Guyana, including the remotest area of Masakenari, gathered at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, from October 25 to 29, to discuss the further development of Amerindian communities with His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cabinet members under the theme “Advancing Development in a Low Carbon Environment”. The National Toshaos Conference was truly reflective of participatory democracy as Amerindian leaders engaged the Head-of-State in one-on-one discussions regarding their communities’ achievements and possible solutions for the challenges they face.

Amerindian Development
The President outlined some of Government’s interventions with regard to the development of Amerindians, which he said are aimed at changing the philosophy and the nation’s perspective to indigenous people’s culture and their enormous contribution to society and their place in national development.
The philosophy that is changing is one which states that the indigenous community lives in the hinterland where it is difficult to reach them because of their geographic location, and therefore it was used to justify the gap that existed between the development on the coast and that in the hinterland.
This he said, “Must not be an excuse for denying a significant part of our people, a significant part of the first people of this country, access to life’s opportunities.”
Land ownership
Government has been enhancing indigenous rights through the new Amerindian Act, which gave them rights to their land. Today, Amerindian communities are the largest private land owners, occupying 24 percent of the land in the country.
During the conference, land titles and extensions were presented to 17 communities, including Itabac, Mashabo, Bethany, St. Monica, Capoey, Kanapang, Kurutuku and Arukamai.
These communities are being transformed through greater access to education and healthcare. The sum of $2B has been set aside for road construction in the Amerindian communities in Regions One, Eight, Nine and Ten, even as they are expanding agriculture and diversifying.

Indigenous communities will benefit further with US$ 8M from the first tranche of US$30M into the Guyana Redd Plus Investment Fund (GRIF).  US$4M will be used to accelerate the demarcation process while the other US$4 will be used to fund Community Development Projects (CDPs) and to provide every Amerindian household with a solar panel.

Support for REDD+ and signing resolution
Amerindian leaders also renewed their support for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by endorsing a resolution on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+).
The resolution affirms that Amerindian communities are in full support of REDD+; that the NTC is the sole authority to represent Amerindian interests to the Government of Guyana; and the international community must consult the council and the Government of Guyana on issues concerning Amerindian villages.
Out of the 171 Amerindian representatives at the meeting, 166 signed the Resolution.
The REDD+ Resolution highlighted that the LCDS is a unique and progressive model to address the impact of climate change and further Guyana’s development.
Community Development Plans
President Jagdeo told the Toshaos, “We should be free as a country and as a people to use money that we earn from the sale of forest carbon like any other commodity for the benefit of our people.”

Throughout the conference, this was demonstrated as Government and Toshaos discussed the execution of projects promoting food security and economic ventures earmarked in Community Development Plans (CDPs) that will transform Amerindian village economies.

To increase the pace at which Amerindian communities are developing, they were requested to create CDPs as mandated by the Amerindian Act of 2006. Several projects earmarked in the CDPs are related to tourism, manufacturing, livestock rearing, processing units and large scale cash crop farming.

Education:
The importance of education was emphasised during the meeting as Toshaos want their communities to maximise the many opportunities Government has provided for their children.
Owing to the growing population in Amerindian communities and Government’s initiatives, such as the school feeding and school uniform programmes, more students are attending school. As such, communities are requesting extensions of existing school buildings. 
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh stated that the Sand Creek Secondary School is 95 percent completed, and the dormitory facility is under construction. Among the many secondary schools available to hinterland students are those at St. Ignatius, Annai, Aishalton, Waramadong, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Paramakatoi.

Housing and Water:
Government has been propelling the delivery of potable water supply in Amerindian communities and this was highly applauded by Toshaos. Communities such as St. Denny’s and Capoey have already benefitted from solar powered water systems.
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali emphasized that this year 34 new wells have been completed and by year end 45 new solar systems would be purchased and installed for various wells throughout the hinterland regions. There are more than 200 wells across the hinterland communities.
Although some communities welcome the new technology in the water sector, they prefer hand dug wells.
To improve the living accommodation of residents, Minister Ali indicated that the core-home programme will be expanded in 2011 to hinterland communities across the regions.
Agriculture
The National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in Region One as a pilot project, is progressing with the sale of produce and farmers earning an income. Hence the programme is achieving its mandate in promoting food security, generating income and providing employment for villagers.
The crab-fattening project at Imbotero was lauded and is being replicated by members of the community. Those involved in the project have already sold crabs and a crab-meat processing plant is on the horizon.
Other projects such as beekeeping and the cultivation of passion fruit, cassava and pineapple are ongoing.           
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud indicated that the hinterland rice and bean project in Region Nine is progressing as the first harvest, despite weather conditions, produced 80 acres of rice.
Guyana Forestry Commission
Amerindian leaders and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) utilised this NTC meeting to strengthen their partnership, as logging is one of the major economic activities in Amerindian communities.
The GFC presented the Toshaos with the entity’s metrication calculation to solve the calculation of measurement problem that Amerindian leaders face. Toshaos also requested that there be minimum compensation for errors during paper work.

Birth Certificates
The General Register Office (GRO) has a section with 10 employees dealing with Amerindian Birth Certificates, since many Amerindians, even those in their 90s, do not possess the document. Toshaos expressed concern over the slothful process in obtaining birth certificates and are hoping that this process is quickened.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has committed to ensuring the process is hastened. Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai noted that Community Development Officers are working along with Toshaos to complete the forms.
She noted that for the first half of 2010, 1,055 birth certificates were sent to the GRO and more than 850 were returned to Amerindian communities.

Governance
Good governance is essential for proper decision-making and management of Amerindian communities. The Amerindian Act of 2006 governs Amerindian communities and Lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office, Naresh Hardanand and Trishala Persaud, discussed the Governance section of the Act with Toshaos and councillors.
Eco-Tourism
Amerindian communities are no doubt surrounded by boundless beauty created by nature and comprises exotic flora, fauna and breath-taking landscapea; as such, eco-tourism is ideally the business venture for most Amerindian communities.
Several of the CDPs submitted indicate that a number of communities have identified tourism as an area of pursuit.
Conservation International representative Gillian Albert interacted with Toshaos and ideas were exchanged.

Overall, the NTC deemed the five-day meeting a success. Toshaos have left Georgetown satisfied that they have solid information regarding the LCDS and their CDPs to convey to their villagers and are better armed with governance skills.