DAVID JAMES created history as becoming the first Amerindian to be accepted to the bar in Guyana, and now serves as the Special Assistant on Legal Issues at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, where he is tasked with the responsibility of advising the ministers attached to the ministry, on matters of legal nature.

The attorney is also a passionate and articulate advocate of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, on Monday, the attorney asserted that it was his experiences and challenges while growing up and attending secondary school in the city, and later studying as a young teacher, that he felt very strongly that the rights of Indigenous peoples were not being respected in the manner they should. Also, “as Indigenous peoples (we) also need to be responsible in what (we) do to fulfill our potential.”

James felt that as a lawyer, he could contribute to the process in ensuring that the rights of the Indigenous peoples are respected, advocated and their voices heard, something that he has been doing for a long time and continues to do today.

Born at Maururanau, in the Deep South Rupununi, as the last of 12 children born to school teachers, John and Francesea James, the attorney recalled that it was his dad who saw in him, at an early age, the qualities of a lawyer and repeatedly told him he should be one.
“It was those words of encouragement that played a lot in my belief that I can become a lawyer,” James said.

James only spent the first five years of his life at his place of birth, since his parents upon retirement returned to the indigenous community of Moruca, their initial home.
He attended the Santa Rosa Primary School at Moruca, and in 1978, was awarded a scholarship to The Bishop’s High School, when he sat the then Common Entrance Examination. He spent five years at that top secondary school where he wrote his CSEC examinations.

Moving back to Santa Rosa, James, then age 16, began a career in teaching as a primary school teacher but left one year later to receive training at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). The holder of a Certificate in Primary Education after spending two years at the teaching institution, David said he returned to teach at Santa Rose and spent seven years.

During the period, James and Victor Ferreira, another teacher, were credited for pioneering secondary school education at the original Santa Rosa School, starting with 22 students. Subsequently, the secondary school was relocated to another building. Later a new building was constructed and gazetted.

According to the attorney, he left Santa Rosa again in 1993, this time to attend the University of Guyana, first reading for a Certificate in Secondary Education, majoring in Social Studies/Sciences. Continuing his studies, he obtained a Degree in Education with Social Studies as the major in 1996.

Armed with his new academic qualifications, James upon returning to Santa Rosa was appointed Head of the Social Sciences Department in 1998. He, however, only spent two years, having accepted a scholarship from the Rainforest Foundation of the United States, to study law at the University of Guyana (UG).

James graduated from his UG law programme with distinction and thereafter proceeded to the Hugh Wooding Law School, in Trinidad where he earned his Legal Education Certificate in 2005. He returned to Guyana and the same year was admitted to the local bar.

Reminiscing on that memorable day, when he stood before then Chief Justice Carl Singh and heard him publicly announce that he (James) had achieved the feat of becoming the first Amerindian lawyer, James said it was such a tremendous feeling for him, his family and the Amerindian people.

According to him, he received unwavering support from his parents and regretted that they were unable to travel to the city to witness `crowning’ moment. It was on this note that he recalled the ability his father saw in him at an early age.

And, as he recalled his experiences and challenges while studying in the city, having to work and pay rent, James lauded the government’s decision to construct a dormitory for hinterland students, likening it as a tremendous boost for the Amerindian youths.

James through his appointment with the government, has been playing an important role as the government seeks to fast track long out-standing issues relating to the Indigenous peoples such as Land Titling and Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

As a minority in the country, and a very important minority too, in terms of the numbers as the first peoples, James said there is need to have their voices heard, and develop the self-esteem as a people to contribute to national development. The indigenous peoples, however, need to develop themselves individually.

James, who is from the Arawak tribe, views the ongoing Heritage Day celebrations as an excellent way of helping the First Peoples to uphold their traditions while giving other Guyanese an opportunity to view the way of life of the Indigenous peoples.

He lamented that the Arawak tribe has lost its language, adding that his grandmother had tried to teach him but he never really learnt it properly. However, he is heartened by the fact that efforts are being made to preserve and promote the Amerindian dialect.

To this end, the attorney drew attention to the International Year of Indigenous Languages, a United Nations observance this year that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace, and reconciliation.

According to him, language of people is a vehicle for cultural transmission as such it is important that the work is continued.

The attorney also commended the government on its efforts through the Hinterland Employment and Youth Services (HEYS) initiative, a product of government’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities to all Guyanese, especially youth. The project is aimed at empowering hinterland-based indigenous youth to break the dependency syndrome and give young people a chance in life, in some instances, a second chance to those who may have dropped out of school.

He also lauded the establishment of the government’s community radio stations that are aimed at linking the Indigenous communities through communication.
The attorney who is married and has four children, was during his tenure as a teacher, one of the founding members of the Amerindian People’s Association. He had served the body as the president on two different occasions, but has since resigned.