–NTC chair challenges countrymen; urges they put COVID-19 restrictions to good use, by learning about the way of life of the Indigenous Peoples

PULL QUOTE: ‘This is when Mankind has to realise that money is not all; we need to protect the environment, and we need to protect our land, so that we can survive, and our future generation will have a safe place to live’
–NTC Chair, Nicholas Fredericks

CHAIR of the National Toshao’s Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks has called on the Indigenous Peoples community and Guyanese on a whole to take the time during this year’s celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month to reflect upon and embrace the rich and vibrant culture of the Amerindian way of life.
Making the call during a virtual address to usher in the month-long festivities, Fredericks said: “On this special important occasion, marking once again our Indigenous Heritage Month, the theme, ‘Fostering Traditional Practices for a Safe Environment’ is very fitting, because, as you know, we are the guardians of nature. And this is the time we need to reflect on the contributions we have made, and continue to make towards the development of our country and the management of natural resources, based on our traditional practices.”

He said that despite the adverse affect the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on people and countries the world over, it will not alter the panache with which the event is usually associated, as it will be enjoyable just the same, even though things will be done virtually.
Fredericks also made the point that with many being confined to their respective homes due to the virus, there is no better time than now for Guyanese to recognise, celebrate and educate themselves on the significant roles the Indigenous Peoples have played in preserving the country’s true wealth, which is the environment.

“It is a very important time for us to reflect, and to recognise that without us, as Indigenous Peoples, this earth will not be the place that it is. And especially now in this pandemic, where our lives are threatened alongside everybody else, we must recognise the importance of our traditional knowledge and our traditional practices in these times,” he declared, adding:

‘MONEY’S NOT ALL’

“This is when Mankind has to realise that money is not all; we need to protect the environment, and we need to protect our land, so that we can survive, and our future generation will have a safe place to live.”
Fredericks further stated that now more than ever, a collaborative approach is needed from all the relevant authorities to discuss the enhancement and preservation of Indigenous communities to ensure a brighter future for Indigenous youths across the country.

“To our new President and his Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, let us all work together with the Indigenous brothers and sisters across Guyana and in the Diaspora to make sure that our voices; our contributions towards policy development, towards livelihood; proposals to ensure that we are fully involved in the discussions so we can contribute and continue to contribute to developing our in a safe way,” he said.
He noted that the NTC stands ready to work for the betterment of its people, and to fight against the effects the pandemic has had on the Indigenous communities, as well as any other challenges that may come their way.
He also called on Indigenous youths to use their time at home learning how to best preserve the rich, unique traditional practices left them by their ancestors.

“To you the youths, I want to encourage you to interact with the elders: Learn about your forest; learn about your skills, as that is what is going to take us and ensure that our knowledge and practices will be continued from generation to generation,” he said.

In closing, he called on all Guyanese to unite to protect Guyana’s natural resources and the people who continuously safeguard those resources. “Let us recognise, reflect and educate ourselves during this month, and ensure that, moving forward, we have a strong indigenous population in Guyana that will always be there working towards the maintenance of mother earth,” he said.