Amerindian development tangible in Guyana
… Minister Sukhai tells gathering at Heritage Month finale
Georgetown, GINA, October 3, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai speaking to the gathering at the grand finale for Amerindian Heritage Month at Mainstay.
Amerindians will own approximately 20 percent of Guyana’s land mass when the titling and demarcation process has been completed.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai made this pronouncement in her remarks at the grand finale which brought the curtains down on Amerindian Heritage Month 2011 celebrations at the Mainstay Resort on October 1.
Speaking to a large gathering, Minister Sukhai reaffirmed that Amerindians have a lot to celebrate since they hold an advantageous position when compared to other countries’ indigenous peoples as they have now enjoy tenure security.
This, she stated, has made Guyana a unique model in terms of the granting of ownership to land rights to its indigenous peoples thereby making them more empowered.
Guyana stands out as a model at the international forums where other countries highlight their struggles and the challenges which confront them in their efforts to influence governments to recognise indigenous people’s rights to land.
“Here in Guyana, we stand proud and tell our story that previously we spoke about titling and demarcation of lands but today we speak about extensions of land for Amerindians and how our government has committed financial resources to ensure that Amerindians not only occupy the land but that they are provided with a legal document that shows that they own the land and therefore Guyana has tangible facts about Amerindian development to speak about at international forums,” she said.
Although Amerindians make up 9.4 percent of the population, this in no way reflect their contribution to development both at the economic and cultural levels in Guyana, the Minister said.
Citing this year’s theme for Amerindian Heritage month, “Our culture, our heritage, our life: A fusion of indigenous diversity”, Minister Sukhai said that it holds great significance for Amerindians and is one which will be relevant for many years.
She reflected on the beginning of Amerindian Heritage month in Guyana under the presidency of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
A section of the gathering at the closing of Amerindian Heritage month in Mainstay, Region Two
She also recognised the role of the various organizations which have played a significant role in selecting September to celebrate Amerindian Heritage as it was the month when the first Amerindian, Stephen Campbell entered Parliament in the late 1950s.
Campbell, who was affiliated to The United Force (TUF) party spent much of his life educating Amerindians and representing their issues including ownership and rights to land in Guyana.
“We can identify that Amerindians have a very prominent space in our political, Governance, administrative and at the professional level,” she stated.
Minister Sukhai also congratulated leaders for playing a critical role at the village level in ensuring that the practice of good principles that are expected in governance and administration in the communities are followed such as Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) which is one such principle that is followed in all issues regarding Amerindians in this country.
Regarding the community development plans for execution in Amerindian communities, Minister Sukhai pledged Government’s support for the projects.
Mainstay Toshao Yvonne Pearson also reflected on the development which has continued throughout the years for Amerindians especially in education.
This, she said is evident by the number of trained teachers at both the primary and nursery schools in that region which have returned to serve in their communities.
… Minister Sukhai tells gathering at Heritage Month finale
Georgetown, GINA, October 3, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai speaking to the gathering at the grand finale for Amerindian Heritage Month at Mainstay.Amerindians will own approximately 20 percent of Guyana’s land mass when the titling and demarcation process has been completed.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai made this pronouncement in her remarks at the grand finale which brought the curtains down on Amerindian Heritage Month 2011 celebrations at the Mainstay Resort on October 1.
Speaking to a large gathering, Minister Sukhai reaffirmed that Amerindians have a lot to celebrate since they hold an advantageous position when compared to other countries’ indigenous peoples as they have now enjoy tenure security.
This, she stated, has made Guyana a unique model in terms of the granting of ownership to land rights to its indigenous peoples thereby making them more empowered.
Guyana stands out as a model at the international forums where other countries highlight their struggles and the challenges which confront them in their efforts to influence governments to recognise indigenous people’s rights to land.
“Here in Guyana, we stand proud and tell our story that previously we spoke about titling and demarcation of lands but today we speak about extensions of land for Amerindians and how our government has committed financial resources to ensure that Amerindians not only occupy the land but that they are provided with a legal document that shows that they own the land and therefore Guyana has tangible facts about Amerindian development to speak about at international forums,” she said.
Although Amerindians make up 9.4 percent of the population, this in no way reflect their contribution to development both at the economic and cultural levels in Guyana, the Minister said.
Citing this year’s theme for Amerindian Heritage month, “Our culture, our heritage, our life: A fusion of indigenous diversity”, Minister Sukhai said that it holds great significance for Amerindians and is one which will be relevant for many years.
She reflected on the beginning of Amerindian Heritage month in Guyana under the presidency of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
A section of the gathering at the closing of Amerindian Heritage month in Mainstay, Region TwoShe also recognised the role of the various organizations which have played a significant role in selecting September to celebrate Amerindian Heritage as it was the month when the first Amerindian, Stephen Campbell entered Parliament in the late 1950s.
Campbell, who was affiliated to The United Force (TUF) party spent much of his life educating Amerindians and representing their issues including ownership and rights to land in Guyana.
“We can identify that Amerindians have a very prominent space in our political, Governance, administrative and at the professional level,” she stated.
Minister Sukhai also congratulated leaders for playing a critical role at the village level in ensuring that the practice of good principles that are expected in governance and administration in the communities are followed such as Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) which is one such principle that is followed in all issues regarding Amerindians in this country.
Regarding the community development plans for execution in Amerindian communities, Minister Sukhai pledged Government’s support for the projects.
Mainstay Toshao Yvonne Pearson also reflected on the development which has continued throughout the years for Amerindians especially in education.
This, she said is evident by the number of trained teachers at both the primary and nursery schools in that region which have returned to serve in their communities.