I READ Lewis Larson’s (Toshao) letter in the Stabroek News (Tuesday September 3, 2013) under the caption – “Isseneru villagers demonstrated because of the threat to our traditional lands and resources”
Permit me to state the following:

1. Toshao Lewis Larson of Isseneru village in the middle Mazaruni is a known puppet of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA). If the APA tells him to jump into a latrine pit, he will do so.
2. Toshao Larson’s letter in the Stabroek News under the above mentioned caption is in response to mine carried in the Guyana Chronicle (Thurs Aug 15, 2013) under the caption – “APA demonstration had nothing to do with land titles”. Unfortunately, Toshao Larson was wrong when he mentioned that my letter was published in the Guyana Chronicle on “Wednesday August 14, 2013.”
3. Toshao Larson in his letter said that the “Isseneru villagers demonstrated because of the threat to our traditional lands and resources.” But who is threatening the resources (gold) and traditional lands of Isseneru when its Village Council and other residents are heavily engaged in mechanised gold mining activities together with coastland miners? Isseneru is a titled Amerindian community yet its Village Council apparently is not putting into effect one of its village council functions which is to “promote the sustainable use, protection and conservation of village lands and the resources on those lands” (Section 13 (1) (F) of the Amerindian Act 2006). The Isseneru village council cannot expect the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to micro-manage its affairs when there is an Amerindian Act 2006 to promote the good governance within Amerindian villages and communities. Toshao Larson needs to understand that the days of colonialism have disappeared since 1966 and that his village now has the right to practise the principle of self-determination under the Amerindian Act 2006.
4. Toshao Larson said in his letter that his village title document has the clause, “Save and except lands legally held.” I guess that these lands legally held are mining properties that were issued to coastland miners by the GGMC prior to Isseneru becoming a titled village.
5. But given this situation, can Toshao Larson say why his Village Council did not enter into amicable and constructive negotiations with these coastland miners for the payment of village tribute which is “at least seven per cent of the value of any minerals obtained from village lands from small and medium scale mining” (section (51) of AM. Act2006)?
6. I can be wrong here and subject to corrections. But as Amerindians we all need to understand that titles to village lands do not grant rights to the subsurface, hence the villages do not have automatic rights to that which is in the subsurface such as gold, diamond and other minerals. The village land titles also state this clearly that the right to minerals is excluded. Amerindians do, however, have the right to conduct mining activities, but we do not have special mining rights since gold and other precious minerals belong to no one but the state.
7. But while gold and other precious minerals belong to no one but the state, Amerindian villages are given the right to manage mining activities on village lands (Sections 48 & 49 of AM. Act 2006). This does not happen in any other country in the world.
8. Toshao Larson in his letter refers to me as “one Peter Persaud”. Toshao Larson knows me well and I know him well since I visited Isseneru village on more than one occasion. Other village residents also know me well since 1994. So Toshao Larson apparently has a short memory or was told what to write in his letter. If the latter is correct I know who the culprit is. But this doesn’t bother me in any way. My only concern is that Toshao Larson as a village leader must not permit others with a mischievous and wicked agenda to think for him. Come on Toshao Larson wake up and stop the APA from misleading you and Isseneru village to the destination of hell-fire!
9. Toshao Larson in his letter said that “TAAMOG is a self- appointed Organisation.” This is a deliberate lie. TAAMOG is a voluntary body with legal status under the Friendly Societies Act. It is pursuing its objectivities of protecting the rights and interests of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples without being funded both locally and internationally. We love working for our indigenous peoples on a voluntary basis because we reap successes, in-ward satisfaction and joy. Further, TAAMOG’s formation in March 1993 triggered off an indigenous peoples rights consciousness throughout the length and breadth of Guyana which is felt up to today. Those Amerindian Organisations that existed prior to TAAMOG’s formation simply had to follow. And they know who they are.
10. Toshao Larson said that “TAAMOG is a political front masquerading as a NGO.” TAAMOG in the pursuit of its objectivities is obedient to the laws of our country and if this means that TAAMOG is a political front masquerading as a NGO, then so shall it be.
11. Toshao Larson said: “If the so-called organisations that Peter Persaud heads were worth anything we might have thought of approaching him to help us organise our protest.” The basis for Toshao Larson saying this is his recognition that TAAMOG works within the Laws of Guyana and would never have supported his political protest neither help to organise it, but to professionally guide him on the correct approach to take. But definitely, I will have to examine TAAMOG if it is “worth anything” because lots of Amerindian communities are calling for its help and guidance. In fact, at the time of writing this letter I was distracted by a caller who needs the presence of TAAMOG in his community in the Barima/ Waini Region. I will not name this Amerindian community. Let me thank the Great Spirit.
12. Toshao Larson must understand that TAAMOG represents the rights and interests of Guyana’s indigenous peoples under our country’s laws consistent with international legal obligations where the rights of indigenous peoples are concerned. Any deviation from this path can be deemed total lawlessness and political mischief-making. So my letters in the Newspaper are simply designed to reposition Isseneru back on the correct approach to take in the settlement of any concern and problem which the Isseneru Village Council may have and not to “insult and dismiss” its concerns. If I am wrong here then I prefer to have “no credibility” as Toshao Larson claims I do not have.
13. Toshao Larson in his letter said: “We want the people of Guyana to know in no uncertain terms that we the Council and people of Isseneru completely denounce and reject Peter Persaud.” This statement by Toshao Larson is merely political propaganda. But while Toshao Larson made this statement there are currently some of Isseneru’s village residents who want me to address their problems. Shame on you Toshao Larson!
14. In conclusion, Toshao Larson’s letter in the Stabroek News was simply a hocus-pocus based on the APA’s doctrine of deceit.