The history of indigenous peoples across the globe is replete with discrimination , marginalization, exploitation, brutality and seizure of their lands by force, particularly at the hands of colonisers in their imperialist thrusts to enhance the wealth of their respective countries and empires. Renowned actor Marlon Brando had refused an Oscar award in protest against the taking away of lands from Red Indians in the US and up to today, there are several unresolved disputes with respect to lands which were originally owned by the indigenous people of the United States as well as in other countries.
The end result has been the underdevelopment of indigenous communities and poverty within these communities which fortunately is gradually being reduced as the suffering and poor living conditions of indigenous peoples are being increasingly recognised.
It is so unfortunate that indigenous peoples,whose culture and art have made huge contributions to the civilisation of mankind, have had to endure monstrous atrocities at the hands of fellow human beings.
According to Mr. Sha Zukang,UN  Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs:
“Indigenous peoples are custodians of some of the most biologically diverse territories in the world. They are also responsible for a great deal of the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity, and their traditional knowledge has been and continues to be an invaluable resource that benefits all of mankind. Yet, indigenous peoples continue to suffer discrimination, marginalization, extreme poverty and conflict. Some are being dispossessed of their traditional lands as their livelihoods are being undermined. Meanwhile, their belief systems, cultures, languages and ways of life continue to be threatened, sometimes even by extinction. Increasingly, governments are recognizing these threats, and matching such recognition with action. From land claims settlements and constitutional amendments to important symbolic actions such as apologies for past treatment of indigenous peoples, governments around the world are making important steps towards addressing indigenous peoples’ concerns. In responding to the challenges they continue to face, indigenous peoples have engaged the international community, calling for a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and a permanent forum at the United Nations that meets regularly to discuss indigenous peoples’ issues and make recommendations to the UN system and beyond.”
Our country has a sizeable indigenous population (approximately 12%) and their history has not been much different from their counterparts in other parts of the world as they suffered at the hands of the Dutch and English colonizers as well as under a government which ruled this country for 28 years through rigged elections.
However, this government has worked methodically, relentlessly and assiduously to improve the lives of our indigenous peoples not by mere handouts, but by empowering them and building their capacity to help themselves through education and training, economic projects, providing electricity and water supplies, improved road and river transport and economic projects.
On a recent visit to Malali and Muritaro, Amerindian Affairs Minister Ms. Pauline Sukhai reiterated government’s commitment to substantially improve the financial independence of the communities in the upper Demerara River.
Amerindian communities across the country, she said, are becoming financially independent as government continues to implement policies and programmes that are transforming their village economies and sustaining their traditional ways of life and surroundings.
This is so true as it is undeniable that Amerindians are today better off than they were two decades ago. Of course, there is still a far way to go to bring Amerindians on par with coastlanders, but what is certain is that the foundation has been laid to do so and so far the progress in this direction is encouraging.