VICE-President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock is to deliver the keynote address at the 40th Annual Elders and Traditional People’s Gathering Sunday at Trent University, in Ontario, Canada. According to a release from the ministry, this year’s Annual Elders and Traditional People’s Gathering will be held under the theme: “Rekindling the Fire: Reconciliation and the Way Forward.”
As such, the minister will be speaking on the topic, “The developmental trajectory of Guyana’s indigenous peoples and their indispensable Role in nation-building.”
The release quotes Director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research at Trent University, Professor Suresh Narine as saying that for more than 50 years, traditional teachings and perspectives have been incorporated into its curricular and extra-curricular programming.
He explained that Trent University was the first university in Canada and the second in North America to establish an academic department dedicated to the study of indigenous peoples and indigenous knowledge.
Whilst there, Minister Allicock is set to visit Trent’s multiple centres of excellence, with a view to further deepen the relationship that already exists between Trent University and Guyana.
Also visiting Trent at the same time will be Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles.
Together, the Minister and Dr.Van-West Charles will be seeking to partner with Trent University in the areas of watershed ecosystems management, water quality and safety and specifically with a focus on the sustainable access of indigenous peoples to potable water.
The minister will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Indigenous Studies, and the Trent Centre for biomaterials research for the establishment of a new institute focused on the development of personal care, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products inspired by indigenous Knowledge.