IN HONOUR of Indigenous Heritage Month, the Institute of Gender Studies the University of Guyana (UG) on Monday afternoon hosted a programme to welcome social activist/singer/songwriter, Faith Nolan, of Mi’k Maq, Black and Irish Heritage at the Education Lecture Theatre.

Faith Nolan is a musician who empowers others to sing for justice, healing and fun. She is in Guyana for the first time, and her presence was well received on Monday night at the UG Campus after singing several songs.

The self-taught musician interfaced with students and other invitees in a rather deep discussion, following a video clip of how indigenous people were ill-treated by the authority after their loved ones, young girls go missing and their search for them in Canada.

Some invitees, most of whom are indigenous, spoke of their experiences right here in Guyana and how they are looked down on because of their ethnicity. Faith Nolan is known world-wide for her musical workshops with women in prison, in schools with both teachers and students and in indigenous communities.

Through her music and work, Nolan the blues activist, challenges us to reflect on and critically analyse these issues in relation to Guyana’s diverse realities. Nolan will be in Guyana for two weeks and will visit the prisons as well as the juvenile centre to interact with inmates.

Other speakers included Director, Institute of Gender Studies, Dr. Pauline Bullen and Commissioner WGEC Vanda Radzik, who all had some insightful remarks on the work of Faith Nolan.