.jpg)
The Justice Institute Guyana on Tuesday launched a guide to help Amerindian communities resolve their land issues using the Amerindian Act 2006. The guide explains how an Amerindian community that does not have any land can use the Amerindian Act to obtain an absolute title to the land that it occupies and uses, according to a press release from the European Union office at Sendall Place Stabroek, Georgetown.
The guide will also prove invaluable for Amerindian communities who already have land but need more, since it sets out the steps by which these communities can obtain title to extend their existing landholdings, the release explained.
The Amerindian Act procedure enables communities to get land title on the basis of only 25 years of occupation. In contrast, proving native or aboriginal title to traditional lands requires a community to show occupation going back to the time when the colonial power first arrived.
The guide has been produced under a project which is funded by the European Union under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. The project aims to build capacity among Amerindian Toshaos (elected chiefs), Village Councils and communities to use the laws of Guyana to enable them to build democratic and equitable communities as Amerindian peoples.
“The most critical issue for Amerindian peoples is land. Amerindian peoples depend on the land for their physical wellbeing and in order to survive culturally as Amerindian peoples. Getting the land is only the first step. The Amerindian Act gives Amerindian peoples the power to transform their communities based on the rule of law, democracy and the wise use of resources. But they have to use the Amerindian Act 2006,” said Melinda Janki Director, Justice Institute Guyana.
According to Clarindo Lucas, a former chairman of Region 9 and a highly respected Wapichan leader, “a major problem for Amerindian peoples is that they do not know how to use the law. Through this EU supported project the Justice Institute is working at the grass roots level direct with the people in their communities, to bring them information and simple explanations of the law.”
In his remarks at the launch of the guide, Head of Delegation of the EU to Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecký, highlighted that, “the EU is intending to provide continuous support to these aspects in the coming years and will soon launch two Calls for Proposals for a total budget of approximately 1.5 Million Euros. These funds are complementary to the existing bilateral programmes in the sugar and sea defence sectors among others.” He further said that, through this event, “it appears that Guyana can set a unique example in the world for the protection of indigenous people and of their environment. The European Union encourages both the civil society and the Government of Guyana to pursue their efforts in that direction in the future.” Ambassador Kopecký expressed hope that the guide will aid the Amerindian community in their efforts at effective land management and acquisition.
The Justice Institute also teaches Toshaos, village councillors and community residents their responsibilities under the Amerindian Act. Once they get their land title, they are responsible for what happens with the land and for protecting the land for future generations. One community, the Wai Wai, have declared their land as a protected area and are already benefiting from eco-tourism and other non-destructive income generating activities, using their powers under the Amerindian Act, the release concluded.
The guide will also prove invaluable for Amerindian communities who already have land but need more, since it sets out the steps by which these communities can obtain title to extend their existing landholdings, the release explained.
The Amerindian Act procedure enables communities to get land title on the basis of only 25 years of occupation. In contrast, proving native or aboriginal title to traditional lands requires a community to show occupation going back to the time when the colonial power first arrived.
The guide has been produced under a project which is funded by the European Union under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. The project aims to build capacity among Amerindian Toshaos (elected chiefs), Village Councils and communities to use the laws of Guyana to enable them to build democratic and equitable communities as Amerindian peoples.
“The most critical issue for Amerindian peoples is land. Amerindian peoples depend on the land for their physical wellbeing and in order to survive culturally as Amerindian peoples. Getting the land is only the first step. The Amerindian Act gives Amerindian peoples the power to transform their communities based on the rule of law, democracy and the wise use of resources. But they have to use the Amerindian Act 2006,” said Melinda Janki Director, Justice Institute Guyana.
According to Clarindo Lucas, a former chairman of Region 9 and a highly respected Wapichan leader, “a major problem for Amerindian peoples is that they do not know how to use the law. Through this EU supported project the Justice Institute is working at the grass roots level direct with the people in their communities, to bring them information and simple explanations of the law.”
In his remarks at the launch of the guide, Head of Delegation of the EU to Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecký, highlighted that, “the EU is intending to provide continuous support to these aspects in the coming years and will soon launch two Calls for Proposals for a total budget of approximately 1.5 Million Euros. These funds are complementary to the existing bilateral programmes in the sugar and sea defence sectors among others.” He further said that, through this event, “it appears that Guyana can set a unique example in the world for the protection of indigenous people and of their environment. The European Union encourages both the civil society and the Government of Guyana to pursue their efforts in that direction in the future.” Ambassador Kopecký expressed hope that the guide will aid the Amerindian community in their efforts at effective land management and acquisition.
The Justice Institute also teaches Toshaos, village councillors and community residents their responsibilities under the Amerindian Act. Once they get their land title, they are responsible for what happens with the land and for protecting the land for future generations. One community, the Wai Wai, have declared their land as a protected area and are already benefiting from eco-tourism and other non-destructive income generating activities, using their powers under the Amerindian Act, the release concluded.
