THE Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has voted to change its name. It elected a new executive council and adopted several resolutions for the improvement of the lives of indigenous peoples.

The decisions were taken at the conclusion of the body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place from March 4-6, 2019 at Camp Kayuka, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The AGM also saw the presentation of annual reports, including financial statements from May 2016 to February 2019.

According to a release, the new elected members of the Executive are: President: Benson Thomas of Kamarang, Region 7; Vice-President: Sherry Ann Balkaran of Paramakatoi, Region 8; Secretary: Earl Thomas of Wakapoa, Region 2; Treasurer: Eugenia Rahaman of Kwebanna, Region 1; Assistant Secretary-Treasurer: Junisha Johnny of St. Ignatius, Region 9; Youth Representative: Sherwayne Crammer of Kamarang, Region 7 and Women Representative: Melrose Henry of Capoey, Region 2.

Meanwhile, some of the resolutions adopted will see the APA continuing to advocate for the respect and protection of indigenous rights and for a resolution to long standing land issues affecting, in particular, the Patamona people and the Kaieteur National Park issues.
The APA also agreed that it would continue to urge the government to adhere to the principles of “free, prior and informed consent” in all policies and programmes which may affect indigenous communities.

The body wants to see, too, that a specific timeframe is set for the revision of the Amerindian Act which is currently on-going. That the government puts in place an independent mechanism to ensure indigenous peoples, especially those in Barima Waini, are protected from the consequences of oil and gas extractive activities was also an adopted resolution.

Meanwhile, the APA agreed to change its organisation’s name to the “Association of Padawong Amuk” which means “the owners of the land”.

According to the release, the name change can only take effect when such changes are registered with the relevant authority and, for now, the present ‘APA’ reference can still be used. “The name change has been an item at the top of the APA agenda for quite some time now, and we are delighted that it was finally passed by this Assembly,” the release said.

The AGM was attended by some 130 members and observers who travelled from Regions 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9.