…urges legislative reform for protection of rights

THE Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) has reminded the country’s policymakers of the need to respect the past, current and possible future contributions of Guyana’s indigenous peoples to national development.

This was the message of APA President and Toshao of Kako Village, Mario Hastings, who addressed some 100 members at the Association’s Annual General Meeting and 10th General Assembly yesterday (Monday, March 4, 2019)
The three-day event was hosted at Camp Kayuka on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and represents the body’s highest decision-making forum.

Pointing out initiatives such as the Green State Development Strategy (GSDA), Hastings outlined that indigenous peoples, who have been protectors of Guyana’s environment from the inception, must be included in these discussions. “We have heard a bit about Guyana becoming a Green State and we wish to state that, while commendable, we wish to take this opportunity to remind policymakers that it is the indigenous peoples, through our way of life, that have largely maintained our country in this natural state,” he said.

“We call on policymakers to recognise and respect the critical contribution of indigenous peoples in the national development of this great country of ours. We must be included in discussions and not be spoken for or spoken to. We are capable of speaking for ourselves grounded in the wisdom, legacy and traditional knowledge of our elders who have trodden this path before us.”

Although there had been changes over the years the APA President said that there was still work to be done in the areas of rights violation regarding indigenous lands, the pollution of waterways by the extractive sector and insecure land tenure.

He also warned against the dangers of a conflict of interest between the country’s mining sector which damages the environment and the country’s pursuit of a green economy. Presently, Guyana is working to phase out the use of mercury in the gold mining sector, with the aim of eliminating its use altogether by 2027.

With the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Conservation International and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) miners are being introduced to alternative and safe mining equipment to facilitate the transition.

“We strongly believe, at this time, that there are opportunities that we will utilise to harness and advance our rights in policy and programme development such as the Green State Development Strategy, REDD+, the extractive sector, including oil and gas, and conservation programmes,” Hastings said, projecting:
“With access to financing we can have our own indigenous languages and promote cultural heritage protection.”

In the meanwhile, he noted that the APA will continue to push for the titling and demarcation of lands in accordance with traditional rights; legislative reform for the adequate protection of these rights and the right for participation in decision making at the national level.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Hastings said that the most important activity the APA was currently engaged in was the revision of the Amerindian Act. “We know that this has been one of the major issues and it is because of the laws of the country that a lot of indigenous people are facing a lot of problems because of the deficiency,” he said.

The APA members will spend the next two days at Camp Kayuka examining solutions and recommendations to these and other issues which affect them. They will also touch on topics regarding the women, youths and opportunities for indigenous peoples in the oil and gas sector.

Presentations are to come from the likes of attorney Nigel Hughes; environmentalist Anette Arjoon; members of the Forestry Commission and other APA Executives.
On Monday, the APA members also demonstrated their creativity in the form of music, dance, language and face painting.

The APA was formally established in 1991 out of a group of concerned residents from various communities who met to address issues regarding health, education, rights violation and environmental protection. It is an advocacy organisation and a legally registered body.