WITH a charge for Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples to take responsibility and become the authors of their own future, former Toashao and Presidential candidate for the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, on Saturday, made his final plea for the Indigenous Peoples support in Monday’s general and regional elections.

As Guyana’s two major political parties held massive closing rallies in Georgetown and on the East Coast Demerara, Shuman told a humble gathering of about 100 people at the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Benab, that the LJP is aiming to put equity in Guyana’s political society.
“When was the last time you saw an Indigenous president? Are we not the first people of this country, so why have we not seen an Indigenous president?” Shuman questioned as he opened his remarks at the public meeting.

LJP is contesting in both the general and regional elections in the minimum six geographical regions, with a focus on those regions known for Indigenous communities. Aside from Region Four, the party is also on the ballot in Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine.

The supporters eagerly listened as Shuman spoke about some of his encounters on the campaign trail; ever so often they offered their applause, or supporting comments to encouraging remarks.

Shuman said that should the LJP win a seat in Guyana’s 65-seat parliament, it would be a better balance for the country.

“When the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wins half the country is upset, when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) wins half the country is upset. The only way for us all to be happy is to ensure LJP has a seat at that table,” Shuman said.
The governing A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) and the opposition People’s Progressive Party are the two major party’s contesting Monday’s elections.

He added, “As long as there is a PPP there will always be an Indian presidential candidate, as long as there is a PNC there will always be an African Presidential candidate, but it is time that we change that. Time that we open the door for any candidate to walk in.”
Shuman encouraged those gathered to shun the promises of the other major political parties.

“They come into our communities and say we are going to give you $50,000 per child. When they come into the communities, say I don’t want to wait until you win, give me the $50,000 now. All they do is look at Indigenous People as the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs,” Shuman said, citing a continuous campaign promises by the PPP to give out $50,000 grants per child to parents.

Shuman said what he can promise, should the party be able to garner enough votes, is an independent voice in parliament that speaks to Indigenous Peoples’ issues.
His message resonated with 41-year-old Trevor Dundas, who said he went to school alongside Shuman.

“From my personal point of view, how he’s speaking there, the other parties are only for themselves, but what about the small fishes,” Dundas said.

Twenty-six-year-old Sheldon Peters, who is passionate about programmes for Indigenous citizens, said he hopes the party wins at least one seat in parliament, which he believes would promote better cooperation.

“LJP is all about the change to bring Guyana unity and help the other political parties work along to help shape Guyana’s future to be better. To represent our nation’s motto,” Peters said.

Peters was among those who took to the stage during the approximately one-and-a-half-hour meeting.

Shuman was also joined on the stage by LJP Vice-President John Flores; overseas-based supporter Yvonne Flores; and Presidential Candidate of the New Movement, Dr. Asha Kissoon.

LJP and TNM along with A New and United Guyana (ANUG) headed by presidential candidate, Ralph Ramkarran, last month combined their lists of candidates for the elections.

Kissoon, during her remarks, also highlighted the need for Indigenous Peoples to be the author of their own change.

“For too long you have behaved foreign-minded, you want someone to come in from the outside village to fix your village. Stop waiting for outsiders to come and fix it for you. Do it for yourselves,” she said.

TNM is contesting only the general elections, also in the minimum six regions. TNM is on the ballot in Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, Eight and 10.