…Toshaos Council head urges colleagues to stay focused

Pullquote
“We are here for one week for very important discussions. Use the opportunity now to focus and don’t be distracted. We have a lot to celebrate,” the NTC Chair said

By Svetlana Marshall

THE thirteenth Annual National Toshaos’ Council Conference opened on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre with its Chairman, Nicholas Fredericks, challenging leaders, Toshaos and Senior Councilors to put aside their political differences and work for the good of Guyana.

Instead of causing division, he said the political leaders should work with the Indigenous Leaders to provide solutions to the many challenges facing the nation’s first people. “I call on the government, (and) the Opposition to let us unify ourselves that we shall not be torn apart, especially to you my indigenous brothers and sisters,” Fredericks said to loud applause.

Fredericks, who is also the Toshao of Shulinab, said the NTC, over the past year, continues to fulfil its mandate. “Thanks to the commitment of the executive and staff of the Secretariat, we are moving forward,” Fredericks said, even as he urged Toshaos and other leaders to make the best representation possible on behalf of their constituents.

“We are here for one week for very important discussions. Use the opportunity now to focus and don’t be distracted. We have a lot to celebrate,” the NTC Chair said. He explained that while progress is being made, there are some challenges, specifically with communication across the various villages. Toshao Fredericks commended government for its ICT hubs as they have assisted greatly in improving communications.

This year’s NTC Conference is themed, “Guyana’s First Peoples united in the promotion of the Green Economy through preservation of our languages, lands and rights.”

He addressed the conference, comprising more than 200 Toshaos and Senior Councillors, in the presence of President David Granger; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe among other Ministers of Government. A few Opposition Members of Parliament were also present.

While challenging the Toshaos and Senior Councillors to make representation on behalf of their people, the Chairman said it is important for them to maximise on current opportunities. “Don’t be distracted,” Fredericks told the Indigenous leaders, while underscoring the importance for them to remain focused.

Fredericks, who has been Chairman since 2018, said the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) has been fulfilling its mandate as he alluded to the establishment of the NTC Secretariat.

Though not an easy task to manage and maintain, Fredericks said the Council has secured the financial support of the Executive to keep the Secretariat. The extension to the Amerindian Land Titling Project and the creation of Information Communication Hubs across Indigenous Communities are projects to be celebrated, despite some current challenges. “We expect more, one that is very important to us, that is, our rights to our land. Without our lands, the Indigenous Peoples will not be able to sustainably develop themselves. Give us our lands, give us that full ownership to our lands and we will contribute hugely to national development, but also to the protection of nature,” Fredericks said.