AMERINDIAN Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has reassured the indigenous peoples that the Guyana Government would not renege on its obligations to tackle challenging issues currently affecting their livelihoods, and to protect their rights as indigenous peoples of Guyana.

This assertion came as the world celebrated International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and in the wake of a mass protest in front of Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, and again yesterday in front of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Hundreds of indigenous peoples stood in front of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry yesterday with painted faces, shouting for a revision of the Amerindian Act 2006, and begging the Amerindian Minister to support them.

In a press conference hosted yesterday at the Guyana Forestry Commission in Kingston, Georgetown, Minister Pauline Sukhai said she has heard the cries of the Amerindian peoples, and her office is always open for engagements.

She asserted that her ministry is working to protect the Amerindian people’s land rights, and lamented that the recent court hearing against a village to allow a miner access to mine on their land had aggrieved President Ramotar. She affirmed that the Government later appealed the court hearing.

The minister further stated that the theme for the 2013 International Day of Indigenous Peoples, which is “Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements,” is relevant and very informative, indicating that challenges facing the indigenous peoples cannot be tackled in isolation.

“There is always need for greater engagements,” she said.
“As we join the world in celebration, our Government affirms its commitment to forward Amerindian development without losing sight of international concerns that affect the people,” she stated, adding that the issues need to be continuously addressed, but only in an atmosphere of “trust and willingness to advance together.”

She argued that any attempt to “disrupt and fracture” progress with the Amerindians would be beneficial to no one, with the “exception of those with motives, whose existence feel threatened.”

She said the indigenous peoples are one of the pillars of sustainable development in a nation, and in recognition of this, the Government of Guyana has continuously lent support to develop Amerindian communities and their standard of living.

She posited that the evidence of governmental support in the villages is the ‘living covenant’ with Guyana’s indigenous peoples.

Sukhai also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to form alliances with anyone wanting to contribute to the development of Guyana’s indigenous peoples. She said one of the major challenges plaguing indigenous peoples around the world is land rights.

She said Guyanese natives are better off than most indigenous peoples around the world, because the Guyana Government has ensured their rights were not discarded, and this had translated into security with the people.“Here again, Guyana’s government has fully advanced 10 years’ security with such expansiveness that communities that were established long after areas were identified in the first study done by the Lands Commission in the late 60s have stood to benefit from the Government regarding land rights.

“Guyana takes pride in the fact that Amerindian affairs governance and Amerindian development form part of our country’s development agenda, and is properly guided by the modern Amerindian Act Number Six of 2006 — Respect for the genuine efforts by the participating leaders and the political will of the People’s Progressive Party Government.

“This act was assented to, and continues to be a landmark position of our country; and it even presents the positioning of indigenous affairs as critical,” Sukhai said, expounding that democratic culture and principle are the foundation of the country’s expansion.

“It must not escape us, however, that the discourses we hold with the villagers through outreaches in communities have been the model approach in addressing and listening to the issues of the Amerindians, for it is in these discourses that we feel the palpable consciousness and the genuine expressions of the views of the Amerindian people at the grassroots level.

“And therefore our deliberate avenue to forward their cultural integrity, land rights and general welfare, the rule of law and the genuine, collective participation continue to be entrenched into the rubric of positive development,” she said, adding that the Amerindian Heritage Month is the verification of the Government’s support and commitment to protect and promote the heritage of the indigenous peoples.

President of The Amerindian Action Movement Of Guyana (TAAMOF), Peter Persaud, asserted that World Indigenous Day provides an opportunity to reflect on current affairs that Guyanese natives are faced with.

He suggested that it was sensible to compare the situation of Guyana’s indigenous peoples with the situation of other indigenous peoples around the world. He affirmed that this is critical because, in other nations, indigenous peoples face annihilation and are “heavily discriminated against, killed, and forced to leave their lands, whereas in Guyana the indigenous people’s rights are protected.

“It is not violated. But moreso recognised and respected, where the Constitution of Guyana, the supreme law of the land, and the Amerindian Act 2006 provide the legal basis for the protection and promotion of indigenous people’s rights and their self-determination”

He suggested that the indigenous peoples of Guyana “count their blessings, and remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in other countries of the world”, who suffer grave injustice and violations to their human rights.

Echoing the words of Minister Sukhai, Persaud said the Government is firmly committed to the rights of its indigenous peoples through the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and also through ensuring that the rights of other ethnic groups are respected.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Derrick John, said the indigenous peoples need to establish alliances with other peoples in order to advance as a people. He also asserted that, at the same time, treaties and agreements need to be honoured “between the governments and their people,” whilst recognising their rights to their land.

“Our Government has committed itself to treat every Guyanese equally,” he declared.

He said the Government has focused predominantly on hinterland community development, and has made major investments to protect and promote the culture of the hinterland people. “A lot of investments have been made to showcase the rich indigenous culture, and the entire month of September has been proclaimed Amerindian Heritage Month, which is celebrated annually,” John related, warning the people to never be satisfied with their achievements, but to continue remaining united, and not to allow “anyone to deceive and separate” them as a people.

John called on all world leaders to recognise the statement from the United Nations Secretary General, which is to include indigenous peoples in decision making at all levels.  

Ashton Simon, President of National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF), highlighted that the foundation and the Government have been working closely to address Amerindian issues, and have discovered that the positive elements of development has outweighed the negative connotation of crisis in indigenous communities, although some people continue to oppose “the development of indigenous peoples, particularly in the mining areas.”