ONE of the responsibilities of citizens in any democracy is differentiating between genuine advocacy and abuse of power under the cloak of good intentions. Otherwise, how are we to allow for freedom of speech while safeguarding our most critical institutions? It seems that this is what Guyanese are now asked to do in the recent dispute between some members of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Thankfully, the two parties have vowed to work together.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, told the media at the press conference on April 17 that while the ministry and the NTC may have their differences, both parties are working for a common cause. “Teeth and tongue must bite, they can’t do without each other,” he said.

He said that while the two parties “might have had a little bit of serious discussions and in some cases , challenges in these discussions “, they have been able to accomplish a number of feats which may not have been fully utilised in the promotion of their respective mandates. Allicock said that for the indigenous peoples of Guyana, there is a plan forward. “Old pathways with new directions,” he said of the approach, as he noted that the achievements of the two bodies did not happen overnight.

For its part, the NTC Vice-Chairman Lenox Shuman, told the media that the relationship which the ministry and the indigenous body has built over the past three years is strong. He said that it would take much to destroy the relations, noting that “some pope may have wanted to see this relation [ship] broken completely.”

The council, which represents tens of thousands of people from the indigenous community, is a vital democratic institution. To that end, the ministry  has made every effort to respect it and those who speak on behalf of it. As an example, when objections were made about the President’s commission to inquire into land-titling for that and other Guyanese communities, the administration opened itself up to suggestions from the NTC, withdrawing the commission’s mandate with respect to indigenous land issues, until those recommendations were received. None was received, and as a result the commission’s work in that regard has stalled and is not likely to at all recommence, given that its extended life is almost at an end.

Given this approach, when concerns were subsequently raised about the land- titling project by vice-chairman of the NTC, the ministry would against this background be expected to exercise similar restraint. But if those concerns are raised in a way that looks less like advocacy and more like an abuse of power, it is the ministry’s duty, just as it is every Guyanese’s duty, to make it clear that something is going awry.
Much of the original tension stems from multiple reports from villagers of alleged abuse of power by some toshaos. This has raised concerns about these toshaos’ approach to leadership, and understanding of their true responsibilities.

It is important that Guyanese recognise the legitimate right to advocate for change, but we cannot allow an inaccurate picture of the administration to be painted to suit narrow self-interests. The President has stressed rural development, with Guyana’s first peoples the primary benefactor of many of the initiatives that have followed. Does anyone seriously believe that the administration is ignoring the needs of indigenous communities when there have been continued efforts to bolster healthcare and access to education in our far- flung villages and communities of Guyana’s vast hinterland? Isn’t that what the 5 Bs programme is all about?

Finally, there remains the question of the yearly financial reports for the NTC, which are not being submitted. The ministry seems to be intent on continuing its support for the day-to-day functions of the council, but these are the types of errors which would understandably stretch its tolerance. The NTC, at its core, belongs to Guyana’s first peoples; to that end, it needs to be run in an efficient and consistent manner, best allowing it to exercise its mandate in a manner consistent with their legitimate expectations.
That this is being hindered by the actions of particular individuals is the true point of contention between the ministry and NTC. Advocacy is not the same as antagonism, nor is truth the same as talk. Guyanese can decide for themselves whether the weight of consistent effort to improve the lives of our hinterland and frontier- based citizens, outweighs the noise clamouring for national attention.