SCORES of Guyanese in the Peel Region of Ontario, Canada, braved continuous heavy rains last Saturday to participate in a spectacular 60th Guyana Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony, Cultural Show and Fashion Extravaganza, held at the Brampton City Hall, under the auspices of Mayor Patrick Brown, in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in Toronto.
The highly anticipated event, although held mostly indoors, was the second such huge collaboration with the Town of Brampton which is home to some 14,000 Guyanese, many of whom are reinvigorated by the modern and transformative Guyana that the present Government is working to build.
The ceremony opened with prayers by religious leaders of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths, following the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s national flag, outside, by City staff alone, because of the rain.
Guyana’s Honorary Consul, Mani Singh, brought greetings on behalf of His Excellency, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Government and people of Guyana.
The Guyanese representative recalled the long and gruelling fight for Guyana’s Independence by the country’s forefathers, but particularly noted the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan’s influence and inspiration across the English-speaking Caribbean, resulting in many regional nations attaining their independence, breaking free of the shackles of British colonial rule.
Honorary Consul Singh lauded Mayor Brown for hosting the event, which drew about 400 Guyanese and friends of Guyana, City Councillors, and the business and religious communities, in the Rotunda of City Hall.
Honorary Consul Singh noted that the lowering of the Colonial British Union Jack and the hoisting of the seal of Guyana’s independence, the Golden Arrowhead, ushered in a new era where the Nation became solely in charge of determining its own political and economic future.
He reflected on the painful history of the African slave trade and forced labour, which built European empires, followed by the inhumane slave-like conditions of Indian Indentured Servants, as the former slave masters chose to call them for legal reasons.
Mayor Brown, in his remarks, noted the great contribution of the 14,000 Guyanese living in Brampton, adding that many of them hold very senior positions at the Town of Brampton.
The Mayor recalled the “difficult period” in 2020 after the General and Regional Elections in Guyana when the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was kept from assuming office for several months, even though it had clearly won the elections.
According to Mayor Brown, the Guyanese residents of Brampton lobbied City leaders which led to the City Council passing a resolution supporting the PPP/C as the winner of the elections and demanding that democracy should prevail.
Several groups of dancers of all ages wowed the crowd with tantalizing performances to various Caribbean genres and mixes, including soca, chutney, reggae and other music forms.
During the fashion display, models strutted in beautifully designed wear, including ethnic wear, depicting the creativity of Guyanese diaspora designers.
Guests in attendance were treated to a range of nostalgic Guyanese snacks such as patties, pholourie, bara and pine tarts, supplied by diaspora entrepreneurs in the community.
Saturday’s activities were among many organised across Canada by various Guyanese groups to mark the country’s Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary.
