I wish to make a very serious observation on Amerindians and the LCDS and the unpardoned failure by some Toshaos to disseminate information to their community members.
I wish to address a letter published by Stabroek News dated January 11, 2011, captioned: ‘Only one introductory LCDS meeting was held in Santa Rosa’. The consultations at Santa Rosa had a capacity attendance; some did not get seating but were still able to hear from the outside through audio technology. At these consultations, records will show that invitees’ turn out was over 90%, if my memory serves me right, only one community was unable to attend.
However, that is not the gist of my missive on ‘Some Toshaos are failing their communities’.
In reflection:
1. The launching of the LCDS was done in June 2009, to which Toshaos and Councillors were invited. The president met with Toshaos in a gallant effort to ensure that they were familiar with the LCDS, on this occasion the LCDS draft document was distributed.
2. The National Toshaos Conference (NTC) climaxed in Georgetown sometime after the launching of the LCDS in June, again the President exerted energy to discuss the LCDS with Toshaos, and he even pleaded with them to disseminate information to their community members on their return home. At the conclusion of this conference, copies of the LCDS draft were distributed.
3. Sub-National Consultations for Hinterland/Riverine areas were launched June 26, 2009.
Specifically, consultations were held at Moruca on June 28. I am not sure if the writer lives in Region One, but for his/her information these communities were invited – Kokerite, Chinese Landing, Waikerabi, Kwebanna, Santa Cruz, Warapoka, Assakata, Waramuri, Manawarin and Moruca.
At these consultations copies of the LCDS draft documents were again distributed. Priority was given for Toshaos and councillors of the above communities to uplift copies and many extra copies were then distributed to community members at their request. They were charged by members of the head table to interact with them to clarify or gather more info if needs be. So, the writer stating that ‘familiarization on the LCDS was not allowed’ is tantamount to a ruthless effort to discredit the LCDS and is an outright  fiction.
4. In 2010, another National Toshaos Conference was held in Georgetown to which over one hundred Toshaos and Councillors were invited. Copies of the LCDS draft document were again distributed with the expectation that info would be disseminated to community members by their elected leaders. Our tireless President patiently discussed  the LCDS again.
In retrospect, on each of the four (4) occasions mentioned above, Toshaos or their Councillors had the opportunity to access documentation and be informed on the LCDS.
Specifically for the Moruca Sub-Region, utilizing the chronology of events I reflected above – every Toshao in that Sub-Region is expected to be in possession of four (4) copies of the LCDS document. Councillors augmented their Toshaos presence to NTC and consultation meetings and likewise  were recipients of the LCDS documents. So, Amerindian leaders have been adequately informed on the LCDS and the information has been robustly augmented with the distribution of LCDS documents.
The composer of the ‘Only one introductory LCDS meeting was held in Santa Rosa’ has brought to light a very serious flaw and has drawn attention to the inability to govern by some Toshaos.
Section 22 of the Amerindian Act 2006 articulates the duties of a Toshao: In summary, (a) A Toshao shall represent the interest of the village at all times
(c) chair all meetings of the village council and ensure that all matters concerning the village are adequately addressed.
(f) Provide the village general meeting with a report of every meeting he attends on their behalf.
The composer clearly has been denied A, C and F under Section 22 of the Amerindian Act 2006. I urge those Amerindians that experience the same scenario as the composer of “Only one introductory LCDS meeting was held in Santa Rosa” to be vigilant and demand your rights. You have a right to be informed through reports of meetings which your Toshao would have attended, your interests need to be represented and he must summon meetings to discuss concerns of the village adequately with you. If your Toshao is not functioning like that …  vote him/her out and put some one interested in your welfare and that of the village.
LCDS is about you, your village, your resources, your opportunities, your betterment and your country so it is critical that you know all that the LCDS entails
Finally, attendees at Moruca consultations did familiarize themselves with the LCDS. Things are happening and we hope more consultations will be at your disposal.