— warns against political posturing, points to PPP/C’s impressive record of investment
MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Kwame McCoy, has hailed Amerindian Heritage Month as a powerful symbol of Guyana’s commitment to inclusion, development, and respect for its first peoples.
He made this known while addressing a lively celebration at Swan, along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway.
Speaking at the event, which brought together scores of residents and visitors, Minister McCoy described the heritage celebration as a “family occasion” that unites Guyanese across communities and backgrounds.
He said the activities at Swan offered “an opportunity for us to see on full display our talent, our culture, and for us to educate ourselves about the heritage of our Indigenous people, and to remind us of where we came from and where we are headed.”
Reflecting on the evolution of the Swan community, the minister recalled its beginnings with the allocation of 40 acres of land dedicated to Amerindian people, noting that the community has come a far way from its “humble days” to its present state of development.
He framed this progress as part of a broader national push for inclusion, stressing that Amerindian brothers and sisters have been fully integrated into the development paradigm of Guyana.
“We can recall the beginnings of the Swan community, an allocation of 40 acres of land dedicated to American people, and moving from then, the humble days, to where it is today, a far way to development and the type of development that speaks to inclusion, because right across our country, our Amerindian brothers and sisters have been fully integrated into the development paradigm of our country. thanks to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, our government remains a government for the people, for our Amerindian brothers and sisters.”
Underscoring the significance of Amerindian Heritage Month, observed every September, McCoy pointed out that no other ethnic group in Guyana has been accorded an entire month dedicated to their observance and celebration.
He said this in itself was “special” and a reminder of the value the state places on the culture, history, and identity of the Indigenous population.
Beyond cultural preservation, the minister highlighted the economic dimension of heritage activities. He said events such as the one at Swan are not only about song, dance, and ceremony, but they are also about supporting small businesses and local economic ventures, as artisans, vendors and performers earn from providing services and cultural displays that coincide with the celebrations.
He cautioned the audience about political figures who “will come, and they will walk around, and they will run around… in their most pretentious fashion,” contrasting this with what he portrayed as the PPP/C’s consistent record of tangible support and investment in Amerindian communities.
“Our government remains that government, genuine and true for the development of our people. We have, over many years and continuously, made sacrifices and investment in the people of our country, including our Amerindian brothers and sisters, and today there is a lot to boast about, and today that we can see development right across our country, and to be reminded that these developments came with tremendous sacrifice and in the investments we made in the people of this country, the first people, the people to which we honour and we treasure and we grant our respect, the heritage comes together with development.”
McCoy further linked the occasion to the wider development agenda of the government under President, Dr Irfaan Ali, stating that the administration is “continuously” committed to improving the lives of people in Swan and communities across the country.
