–but will most likely be done virtually

By Naomi Parris

UNDER normal circumstances, members of the local Indigenous Peoples community and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs would have been busy as the proverbial bee, preparing a number of elaborate cultural activities for the celebration of this year’s Indigenous Heritage Month. However, due to the COVID-19 situation here, there’s been a slight change of plans.
So, instead of the usual lavish treat we’ve grown accustomed to, this year’s activities will most likely be held virtually, as have most other major events over the past few months, according to Amerindians People’s Association (APA) Governance and Rights Coordinator, Laura George.

“I foresee for Heritage Month that it is going to be challenging to our people in the communities who are really the persons that need to be involved and included,” Ms. George said. “We haven’t exactly come up with what we plan to do, but I foresee that with whatever possible, we will be conducting livestream programmes,” she added.

She, however, made a very telling observation, and that is that Indigenous youths these days are losing their sense of identity, and while there will be no physical celebration for Indigenous Heritage Month this year, the APA is hoping that with the right communication channels and Internet hubs, a virtual celebration can restore a balance to the various communities.
“Heritage must not only focus on the sounds, the dances and the drinks,” George said, adding: “It is a very tiny part of our heritage and culture; so that is what we would like to see protected and respected. And it’s sad that we can’t have this celebration this year.”

THE EVERYDAY CHALLENGES
The APA, George said, has been advocating for Indigenous Heritage Month to be celebrated from a more technical perspective, in that the event should not only highlight the beauty of the Amerindian culture, but also the everyday challenges that the various Amerindian communities are faced with.
“What I would like to see happen if there is to be a virtual event for Heritage Month,” the cultural activist said, “it would mostly likely be focused on calling for Indigenous Peoples participation in national decision making, especially in response to COVID-19, and how the village leaders can contribute to decisions making.”
She said that in light of the epidemic, the APA is hoping that the new government will work along with the necessary stakeholders to see the provision of better quality Internet connections and information technology hubs.
“What I would like to see happen for any virtual activity, is to get as much regions as possible into communities that have Internet, that they can also follow and join… Many times it has been a challenge, where in the hinterland you know where the Internet is slow and they can’t really join in the discussions,” she said.
She said that the establishment and installation of hubs in communities are extremely important, especially during this time, as many hinterland regions are grappling with a pandemic. “If Indigenous Peoples and leaders are given proper information systems and Internet, we will be capable of harnessing the youths [and] promoting empowerment to bring them up to date in terms of information sharing and documenting traditionally knowledge,” George said, adding:
“The pandemic has brought out the large gap in inequalities and access to education, and access to communication and the access to being fluent in the decision-making.”
For this year’s celebration, George noted that the APA is looking forward to engaging the new administration and the subject minister in discussing the way forward with regards to the celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month, as well as several other pressing issues.
“We have challenges in the various communities, so again we have to continue advocating for our rights; our professional rights and the protection of our heritage and all of that,” she sid, adding: “So that is some of things I foresee us doing, and these are some of the things that I’d like to see are respected.”