FORMER Chairperson of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC), Ms. Yvonne Pearson, last week demitted office after spending three years at the helm of the 20-member body tasked with fulfilling the mandate of the NTC. This dynamic leader has now passed the baton on to Mr. Derrick John, who is now vested with responsibility to move the NTC forward over the next three years.
One objective of the NTC is to strengthen the Council’s capacity to implement sound governance practices, while assisting in the preparation of strategies and plans relative to promoting and safeguarding the rights, welfare, assets and culture of indigenous peoples in Guyana.
In an emotional moment, the outgoing Council stepped down to allow the new body, headed by John, to take over. The nomination and installation of the new NTC took place during the recent 4-day National Toshaos Council, held at the International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
Proceedings were held under the theme: “Establishing Strategic Approaches and Alliances for Sustainable Amerindian Development.”
Pearson, who expressed gratitude to the Toshaos of the outgoing Council, congratulated the newly-elected body. Still being energized and passionate about the work of the National Toshaos’ Council, in which she took great pride, Pearson asserted: “I can feel the fire of the new warriors who were just elected to continue the work of the new NTC.”
As she engaged in sober reflection during an exclusive interview with the Sunday Chronicle, the former NTC Chair said she considered her term of office (2009-2012) to have been good.
Reflecting on her initial moments, she told of having had to learn to balance her household responsibilities with the new responsibilities that devolved on her life at the national level and the level of her people also. She was soon able to rise above the challenges and so gained momentum.
“My term of office was truly a challenging one, but I fought the good fight with all my might, and had the support of the other Toshaos on the Council. We tried to narrow gaps and build bridges, and were able to lay the foundation so that others can build,” Pearson asserted.
She retained her focus amidst challenges, and recognized that when it comes to the development of people, there’s no room for complacency. She respected that principle absolutely, and it worked.
Ms. Pearson said, “Coming from Carib ancestry, I always prided myself as a warrior. We are warriors; and truly, I am a warrior, and that helped.” But she   admitted there is still work to be done.
In words of advice to both outgoing and incoming Council, she urges, “Let us continue to work together and be the change we want to see.”
Yvonne Pearson was born at Abrams Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, and attended the Abrams Creek Primary School. A woman with a ‘human touch’, she recalled she always had an interest in the welfare and wellbeing of people. “I was always actively involved in community development; and I think on account of that, during 1994, the people of my village probably thought it fit to have me as their Toshao. From then on, I have been serving, until recently, as the Village Toshao.”

Married, and a mother of five sons, (a 15-year-old still at school) and ten grandchildren, she modestly acknowledged the support her family members gave her at all times. Of course, it was not always easy sailing, she recalled, but still cherished moments of success and exciting times. She highlighted some of the positives during her tenure, among which were:

* The preparation of a work plan which guided the Council throughout its term of office;
* Strengthening the capacity of the NTC to implement sound governance practices, and assisting in preparing strategies and plans for the conservation and sustainable management of land and resources;
* Building capacity with the newly-elected executive members of the NTC through training sessions, and building relationships with communities;
* NTC’s role in environmental affairs:  Empowerment and enhanced understanding of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, Climate Change, and their impact;
* Building relationships with government ministries, NGOs and other stakeholders, as well as with foreign missions and international figures; and
* Leadership and negotiation.

All in all, she says, the most reassuring thing is to know that Government recognizes the rights of the indigenous people, who have had a history of marginalization.

Memorable moments
In her reference to balancing challenges with good times, the self-professed warrior says there’s much to celebrate.  She then recalled that her most memorable moments as an indigenous person was when she attended the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Population and Development in Eucador a few weeks ago.
For Yvonne Pearson, it was a sobering moment. She was the only Caribbean Indigenous person at that conference, she recalls, adding, “For me that speaks volumes, but the high moment of it all was when I looked back to see where I came from …the grass roots level, and here was I, under my flag, speaking not only for the indigenous peoples, but for Guyanese. That was truly remarkable, and so I used the moment to call on Caribbean countries that have indigenous peoples to allow them to participate fully at all levels.”
Pearson also recalls with pride her attendance at the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues (UNPFI) in 2011. Such occasions afforded her the opportunity to “tell the world the truth about what is happening in Guyana,” she said.
Over the three years, the NTC was represented by various Council members at various other professional and prestigious fora, including (In 2009): The London Meeting on Climate Change hosted by Prince Charles at the King James Palace; The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Meeting hosted by the World Bank; the Copenhagen COP 15 Meeting (2012); Conference of the Indigenous Peoples in Congo, Central Africa. In 2011: The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Meeting in Brazil; In 2012: The RIO+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
Pearson thanked the Government of Guyana; diplomatic missions in Guyana, such as the United Nations, USAID, and other international supporters; as well as local stakeholders, for their invaluable input in giving due recognition and respect to the indigenous peoples; ensuring their rights are respected while playing a part in their overall development.
Summing up, she asserted:  “For the Council, it has been a successful term, and we have achieved much. We have been able to build the capacity of Toshaos, who initially did not understand their roles. As we demit office, we have Toshaos on the executive body who are now empowered, this time around as, brand new managers, brand new front line soldiers who can effectively serve their people in whatever capacity… They now know the ropes,” she said confidently.
According to Article 23 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, “Indigenous Peoples have the right to develop and determine priorities and strategies for exercising their rights to development.  In particular, they have the right to be actively involved in developing and determining health, housing and other economic and social programmes affecting them; and as far as possible, to administer such programmes through their own institutions.