THIS month is designated Amerindian Heritage Month. It is also Education Month. Indeed there is a close correlation between education and Amerindian development.
Through education our Amerindian brothers and sisters are much more empowered and are taking full responsibility for the development of their own communities and that of the society as a whole.
This year’s theme for Amerindian Heritage Month is: “Celebrating our traditional culture while building One Guyana”.

This theme is most apt given the great strides made by Amerindians in the preservation of their cultural heritage. As the first people to have set foot in this country, their rich culture has permeated several aspects of our national life such as food, music, dance and other forms of cultural expressions.
The one- month long celebrations, initiated by the PPP/C administration every September, has gained the attention of the local and international community  as more and more people are becoming aware of the contributions of Amerindians in several facets of national life including arts, culture and national development. A village host is chosen annually. For 2024, the Amerindian Heritage Village is Campbelltown, Region Eight.

Thanks to the several policy interventions of the PPP/C administration, the face of Amerindian communities is undergoing significant changes.
There are for instance the construction of new and well equipped medical facilities such as hospitals and health centres along with the training of doctors, nurses and community health workers.
The same is true for the education sector with the construction of new schools with dormitory facilities and teacher accommodation.

Prior to October 5, 1992 Amerindian development was neglected to a point where there were no functioning secondary schools in any of the Amerindian communities.
The St. Ignatius Secondary school in Region Nine was offering only a limited number of subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and only at the Basic level. That in effect meant that Amerindians children were effectively denied an opportunity to obtain public service jobs or to gain admission at tertiary institutions.

That neglect under the previous PNC administration was not limited to the education sector. The same was true also of the health sector. There were hardly any functioning hospitals, health centres or health posts.
Little wonder the mortality rate of Amerindians were on the decline due to a high incidence of malaria and other preventable diseases. Today, thanks to the several interventions by the PPP/C administration, the Amerindian population is the fastest growing segment of the population.
With the return of the PPP/C to power on October 1992 after over two decades of PNC dictatorial rule, Amerindian development was placed on the front burner. A new Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was established and Amerindians became an integral part of the policy-making and governance process.
Amerindian communities now benefit from greater internet connectivity with the installation of solar panels. An increasing number of Amerindians live on titled lands. The village economy is much more diversified.
The PPP/C administration must be commended for restoring dignity and pride to the Amerindian population. Amerindians are now an integral part of our society which is moving inexorably in the direction of One Guyana as envisioned by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.