CHAIRMAN of the National Toshaos Council, Mr. Derrick John has expressed his pleasure that the focus for this year’s Amerindian Heritage Month is on honouring the indigenous peoples’ culture.

Because, without a culture, the people would have no future, he posited, at the launch last Sunday in the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Greater Georgetown.
“It brings great joy and honour to know that great emphasis is being placed on honouring our culture and advancing our future,” John acknowledged, as he challenged Amerindians to embrace their culture with pride and preserve it, warning that Amerindian Heritage is in a state of swift descent.
“We are losing it and it’s no secret,” he remarked in his impassioned greetings to fellow Amerindians.
John observed that many indigenous people are ashamed of who they are and their culture, adding: “This is something that we ought to treasure as we move from one stage to another.”
He reminded his audience of their ancestors’ great bravery and pride.
Great opportunities
“Today, my brothers and sisters, there are great opportunities that we have at our disposal,” he said, imploring them to secure their culture against decay.
“It’s our role, our duty, our responsibility and, if we don’t uphold it today, if we are not a proud people of who we are, then we don’t have a future,”John declared.
He appealed to his fellow Amerindians to work hand in hand and develop themselves as Guyana’s first people.
“We have to be proud of Guyana, because we were the first people to come to this country. Guyana belongs to the Amerindian People. We were the first people that the Europeans came and found. Guyana belongs to us,” John insisted.
He noted that there are people stirring up division amongst Amerindians and cautioned the latter to stay united.
“There are people, out there, who would want to disrupt us, who would want to divide us but we have to be united as a people, my brothers and sisters. We have to fight these battles together. We should not allow outsiders to separate us, ”John maintained.
He continued: “We were never separated and we will never be a separated people. We have a great heritage. Therefore, as we celebrate this month, let us reflect on our past and let’s look at where we are today.
“Let’s look at life. Where do we want to go? Where do we want our children to follow? What foundation are we laying for them? We are the ones responsible. Therefore, we have to take the mantle. We have to keep the fire burning,” John reiterated.