THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has launched a calendar of activities to celebrate the contributions of Amerindians to Guyana, and their rich history and culture.

The 2025 Heritage Month theme: “Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress, Advancing Our Culture”, envelopes the essence of our collective journey as a nation; one that is deeply rooted in unity, propelled by progress and enriched by the preservation and advancements of our indigenous heritage, the ministry said.

The calendar of activities features several engaging and edifying activities, which commenced on Monday, September 1 with the social media release of a feature Chronicling the Amerindian Heritage Month Celebrations,’ as well as the launch of a poem competition.

Following this will be the ‘Preservation of Culture – Making of Cassava Bread’ event slated for September 2. The ‘Making of Fly/Potato Wine’ event is set for September 3, an Amerindian Interfaith Service will be held on September 4, and a Cultural Extravaganza on September 5.

Other events to follow include an Amerindian Crafts and Cuisine, and Cultural Nights from September 6 to 11, an Amerindian Fitness Walk, Life and Works of Stephen Campbell, an Art Exhibition and Indigenous Fashion Showcase, Heritage Safari, Under the Moonlight, and Tasinpansa to name a few.

The first event of this historically celebrated month underscored the deep history behind Heritage Month.

Narrated by Merrano Isaacs, the video feature, ‘Chronicling the Amerindian Heritage Month Celebrations,’ emphasised that among Guyana’s treasures are the Indigenous Peoples, who were the first inhabitants of the land, and whose contributions and traditions are honoured every September.

“The origins of the declaration of September as Amerindian Heritage Month can be traced back to the achievements and contributions of one man, Stephen Campbell. On the 10th of September 1957, Campbell became the first Amerindian MP in Guyanese history when he was elected into the Legislative Council of British Guyana,” he narrated.

This was described as a quiet revolution that reshaped the political landscape for Indigenous peoples.

Heritage Coordinator at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Mohamed Nazim detailed that Campbell’s presence shattered centuries of exclusion and provided Amerindians with a formal voice in national governance.
“His election symbolized the beginning of the indigenous political agency in a system long dominated by coastline elites and colonial administrators. One of Campbell’s most enduring legacies was his advocacy for indigenous land rights,” Nazim said, adding that Campbell pushed for its inclusion in the Independence Constitution, and laid the groundwork for future legislation such as the Amerindian Act of 2006.

In the year 1995, then President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan officially declared September 10 as Amerindian Heritage Day, and September as Amerindian Heritage Month in celebration of the achievements and contributions of Stephen Campbell.

Fast forward to September 2001, when Heritage Month activities continued to grow and evolve, a heritage village was selected to be the national spotlight, allowing for that village and its culture to be highlighted on a national level.

The first nationally designated Amerindian heritage village was Kamarang Warawata in Region Seven in 2001.

Just last year, Campbelltown Village in Region Eight was designated the Amerindian Heritage Village, the fourth village for this notable heritage celebration.

In the end, the feature affirmed that while Guyana honours its first peoples each September, the celebration of heritage is not just a month; it is a lifelong journey, in each dance, drumbeat, and in each child learning their language, the spirit of Amerindian Heritage lives on.