DURING an outreach on Tuesday last in the small village of Chinoweing in the Upper Mazaruni, Region 7, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock committed to look into the rightful issuance of Amerindian land titles and firearm licences.Earlier in the morning around 10:00am, Minister Allicock and his team, including advisor Mervyn Williams and personal assistant Errol Ross, received a warm welcome. In the backdrop were flags dancing in the mid-morning breeze, well decorated benabs and the enticing aroma from a spread of delectable indigenous cuisine.

This visit to Chinoweing was Allicock’s first since becoming a government minister.
The team was received by Community Development Officer (CDO) Kaley Andrews and five young, muscular Akawaio men, attired in indigenous wear, escorted them into the community.
Toshao Roger Roland then formally greeted the team and directed them to the elders. Being the only community in the country which currently practises the Alleluia religion, Minister Allicock was provided with glimpses of this aspect of their culture through religious songs, traditional Parishara dances and prayers in the community church, at a central point in the village.
This was followed by a cultural showpiece highlighting Akawaio’s traditional practices, songs in their native language, humorous dances, and the acrostic ‘DAVID GRANGER’.
Allicock was also presented with a token – a woven piece of basketry which read “1966 – PNC – APNU – AFC – 2015”, crafted by a resident from the community.
A highpoint in this part of the day’s outreach was the grand feast with an almost endless list of indigenous delicacies, including cassava bread, roast fish, deer, chicken and other ‘bush meat’ delights, along with thirst-quenching casiri and lime drink.
Allicock, who is from the Macushi tribe, was no stranger to these delicacies and, judging from his posture, he obviously enjoyed the spread.
ISSUES IN
However, the most important aspect of the visit followed this ‘wine and dine’ experience.
Toshao Roland, in the community centre, a hut-like structure, seized the opportunity to raise the concerns of the villagers with Minister Allicock and his team.
According to Roland, one of the major issues facing the community is the lack of licensed firearms for which applications were submitted.
He explained that during the firearm amnesty, more than 18 guns were handed over by his village which is heavily-reliant on these firearms for hunting as well as protection.
“We don’t use these guns for hunting alone…sometimes we have wild animals coming into our village and destroying our crops…they even threaten the lives of people,” he said.
However, prior to handing over the guns during the amnesty period, additional applications for firearms were made by residents but so far there has been no response from the authorities.
In light of this, a request was made to Minister Allicock to have these applications reviewed and to lobby the Public Security Ministry on behalf of Chinoweing residents.
The minister recommended, however, that the toshao write to the National Toshaos Council requesting their support and recommendations which would add “weight” and merit to their appeal.
In addition, concerns regarding the titling of land in the area were raised. It was revealed that while all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), solar panels and other items were provided for the community by the previous government, lands traditionally belonging to these people were being given to foreign investors.
Mining in the village, which was not benefitting the Akawaios, was being done on a large scale which was contributing to environmental and economic threats.
“Our population is increasing every year so we need land to fish and hunt and plant for our people,” Roland said, adding that this exploitation is being done despite documented proof of land titles.
To this end, he pleaded with Minister Allicock to re-examine the demarcation of land and grant a decision in favour of his people, since they were the ones who first settled there.
The minister was also presented with an outline of a map of the community which was done by the elders.
In his response, Minister Allicock committed to examining these issues, adding that the most prominent issue plaguing indigenous villages right now is that of land distribution.
Noting that these people have long had to face disrespect while fighting for their rights, he noted that, “we [the Ministry] will be working with the National Toshaos Council to bring answers to the issues around the country.”
But while this is being done at the level of the ministry, he called on the indigenous people to embrace unity and cooperation, which he deemed as the pillars of development for these villages.
“Amerindians undervalue their abilities sometimes. We must appreciate that we are talented people; through art, craft, and so many other talents that we possess. Imagine you can take poisonous cassava and make it food; that is to show that even you are scientists, ” Allicock said.
Additionally, he charged the people of the community to continue to recognise the importance of spirituality and living in harmony with nature.

By Ravin Singh