GUYANA Goldfields Inc. has partnered with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for the hosting of this year’s Indigenous Heritage Village Day celebrations set for St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Region Four, on Saturday.
The celebration is part of Heritage Month, which will feature the life and work of first indigenous parliamentarian Stephen Campbell and other notable persons of indigenous descent.
The company also made a financial donation to St. Cuthbert’s Mission for the construction of an eco-lodge there.
The company’s Field Assistant, Leon Roberts, made the presentation to Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs , Garrido –Lowe and representatives from St. Cuthbert’s Mission at a simple yet significant handing- over ceremony at her office.
Minister Garrido-Lowe thanked Guyana Gold Fields Inc for the kind gesture.
“They are good corporate citizens and I’m happy to have them on board and their continued support is needed. Thank you very much and we will continue to work together to build our country and our hinterland in a sustainable way.”
In addition to receiving monies to support the village day activities, the village also received a tangible donation for the construction of an eco-lodge, which will be located in view of the village landing.

GOING GREEN
Minister Garrido-Lowe, who has been an advocate for sustainable eco-tourism activities within villages, said “We are going green and are in support of eco-tourism in the hinterland; therefore, a lodge in St. Cuthbert’s would really be great for people to stay when they go, in an eco-friendly surrounding. Right now they have a guesthouse but that is not enough for everybody going up for the heritage who would want to stay on the night of the 9th, so that’s a plus for them and I’m looking forward to that.”
After receiving the donation, Lenox Shuman, who is the toshao of the village, pointed out that “The community has enjoyed a very healthy relationship with Guyana Goldfields and we appreciate it; they have provided a lot of tangible resources to the community and provided stability to families, so we look forward to growing that relationship. We are happy that Guyana Goldfields have pledged some money towards that and I think this is just the first steps in getting it right, and we look forward to that.”
According to Shuman, the construction of the lodge is expected to begin immediately following the hosting of the Heritage Village Day celebration since some materials have already been procured.

GRATITUDE
Speaking to the Village Day celebration, the toshao said he is grateful for the support received from the company and his team on the ground is working assiduously to ensure the successful hosting of the event which is an annual attraction during the September Month festivities.
Meanwhile, Roberts noted that “Guyana Goldfields is pleased to continue our relationship with supporting cultural development in Guyana. We have done similarly for Arrival and Emancipation and now its Heritage Month and we want to celebrate with our First Peoples in an appropriate manner, and every year we do support the efforts of the ministry in recognising individuals who have contributed to the cause of the indigenous peoples in Guyana.”
He also noted the longstanding relationship shared with St. Cuthbert’s Mission and the donation for the construction of an eco-lodge, according to Roberts, is “in keeping with our mandate to support sustainable activities with communities that we engage with.”
St. Cuthbert’s Mission also known as Pakuri Village is located approximately an hour’s drive east off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and is home to close to 1500 residents.
Last year, the village was selected to host this year’s Village Day celebration and in doing so a number of critical works were undertaken, including the sprucing up of a number of buildings, as well as the construction of a new benab located in the centre of the village, which will host the formal activities.
Security measures include cordoning off of the area close to the village landing as well as upgrades to the main thoroughfare into the village. Assistance from the Guyana Defence Force has also been activated.
The 2017 Indigenous Heritage Month of Activities is being celebrated under the theme: “Guyana’s First Peoples: sustaining a rich cultural environment.”