Guyana and Trent University discuss likely alliance on indigenous studies, development
Georgetown, GINA, October 24, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai with the team from the Trent University at Lake Mainstay
Just after the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and Trent University of Canada signed a Letter of Intent for collaboration between the two entities in the areas of research and training, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai on Saturday met with representatives of both institutions at Mainstay, Region Two which is a vibrant Amerindian Community.
Minister Sukhai met with IAST’s Director Dr Suresh Narine who is also of Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, President and Vice Chancellor of Trent University Dr. Steven E. Franklin, and the University’s Vice President Research & International Dr. Neil Emery in the presence of the Community’s Toshao, Yvonne Pearson and village councillors.
The Letter of Intent allows the two institutions to collaborate with reference to areas such as indigenous, sustainability and environmental studies, climate change, water management, green chemistry and biomaterials.
Expressing appreciation that Trent University is thinking of building a relationship with Guyana in relation to Indigenous people, Sukhai said that, “Guyana has a rich history with regards to the indigenous people and whilst there has been very visible development in the Amerindian communities, and a transformation of the villages, still that traditional aspect that defines the indigenous culture has remained.”
She noted that, “Government has facilitated this environment, whereby Amerindians can achieve this development and at the same time maintain its uniqueness … and over the last two decades, Amerindians have achieved much more superior livelihood through specific Government programmes,” she said.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai with the team from the Trent University as they arrive at Lake Mainstay
“In the face of development, Government has ensured that the indigenous people secure an identity among the country’s multi-ethnic society,” Sukhai said and added that the PPP/C Government designated Amerindian Heritage month. “Heritage month has seen trends whereby the indigenous people themselves are trying to sustain their culture…although there has been obvious change, what is noticeable, is the renewal of the interest of the Indigenous people themselves to understanding their history and the background from whence they came.”
With regards to the possible collaboration between the two entities, Sukhai told the professors that there are many areas and communities in Guyana, outside of Mainstay/ Whyaka that hold very significant opportunities for linkages.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai with the team from the Trent University
Government has been making effort to put in place a dictionary for the nine languages of the indigenous people of Guyana and many of the Amerindian communities and organisations have been adding to this effort. She singled out the Wapishana Organisation which is advancing the Wapishana and Macushi languages into written form. A possible collaboration could see Trent University rendering much needed guidance and support in this area, she said.
Dr. Narine said that the initiative to build a relationship between the University and Guyana stems from the fact that the former has a very strong focus on indigenous studies.
Trent University hosts one of the oldest PhD indigenous people’s programme in North America with studies focusing on areas such as Indigenous knowledge, culture, languages, politics, history and cultural expressions. The University also has a very large indigenous reserve just off the university campus called the Cape Croker Indian reserve.
Dr. Narine said that the university holds firm to the belief that indigenous studies provide the opportunity for not just exploring the culture of the first people but, also learning with regards to development.
Learning from the first people is very important to Guyana’s development, Dr. Narine said, and because of Trent’s long history in this area, the University feels it might have a role to play in this regard.
The opportunity for Trent to also learn from Guyana with regards to Indigenous relations is also available as “Guyana has one of the most progressive first people’s land right programme, where the Amerindians own their own land and Government must negotiate with them concerning developmental issues pertaining to these land,” he explained.
“What is happening in Guyana, can help to educate what is going on in North America and Mexico, where there have been for years and years strife surrounding indigenous land right,” Dr Narine said.
Dr Franklin said that Trent University expects that its understanding of the indigenous culture can only be deepened by a shared relationship between it and Guyana and this expansion of understanding of the indigenous culture is something the University has always endeavoured to achieve.
Dr. Franklin said that indigenous knowledge and studies provide an alternative way of understanding the earth and the people at Trent would be happy to come to Guyana to work and promote this type of understanding and vision in Guyana.
Georgetown, GINA, October 24, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai with the team from the Trent University at Lake MainstayJust after the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and Trent University of Canada signed a Letter of Intent for collaboration between the two entities in the areas of research and training, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai on Saturday met with representatives of both institutions at Mainstay, Region Two which is a vibrant Amerindian Community.
Minister Sukhai met with IAST’s Director Dr Suresh Narine who is also of Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, President and Vice Chancellor of Trent University Dr. Steven E. Franklin, and the University’s Vice President Research & International Dr. Neil Emery in the presence of the Community’s Toshao, Yvonne Pearson and village councillors.
The Letter of Intent allows the two institutions to collaborate with reference to areas such as indigenous, sustainability and environmental studies, climate change, water management, green chemistry and biomaterials.
Expressing appreciation that Trent University is thinking of building a relationship with Guyana in relation to Indigenous people, Sukhai said that, “Guyana has a rich history with regards to the indigenous people and whilst there has been very visible development in the Amerindian communities, and a transformation of the villages, still that traditional aspect that defines the indigenous culture has remained.”
She noted that, “Government has facilitated this environment, whereby Amerindians can achieve this development and at the same time maintain its uniqueness … and over the last two decades, Amerindians have achieved much more superior livelihood through specific Government programmes,” she said.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai with the team from the Trent University as they arrive at Lake Mainstay“In the face of development, Government has ensured that the indigenous people secure an identity among the country’s multi-ethnic society,” Sukhai said and added that the PPP/C Government designated Amerindian Heritage month. “Heritage month has seen trends whereby the indigenous people themselves are trying to sustain their culture…although there has been obvious change, what is noticeable, is the renewal of the interest of the Indigenous people themselves to understanding their history and the background from whence they came.”
With regards to the possible collaboration between the two entities, Sukhai told the professors that there are many areas and communities in Guyana, outside of Mainstay/ Whyaka that hold very significant opportunities for linkages.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai with the team from the Trent UniversityGovernment has been making effort to put in place a dictionary for the nine languages of the indigenous people of Guyana and many of the Amerindian communities and organisations have been adding to this effort. She singled out the Wapishana Organisation which is advancing the Wapishana and Macushi languages into written form. A possible collaboration could see Trent University rendering much needed guidance and support in this area, she said.
Dr. Narine said that the initiative to build a relationship between the University and Guyana stems from the fact that the former has a very strong focus on indigenous studies.
Trent University hosts one of the oldest PhD indigenous people’s programme in North America with studies focusing on areas such as Indigenous knowledge, culture, languages, politics, history and cultural expressions. The University also has a very large indigenous reserve just off the university campus called the Cape Croker Indian reserve.
Dr. Narine said that the university holds firm to the belief that indigenous studies provide the opportunity for not just exploring the culture of the first people but, also learning with regards to development.
Learning from the first people is very important to Guyana’s development, Dr. Narine said, and because of Trent’s long history in this area, the University feels it might have a role to play in this regard.
The opportunity for Trent to also learn from Guyana with regards to Indigenous relations is also available as “Guyana has one of the most progressive first people’s land right programme, where the Amerindians own their own land and Government must negotiate with them concerning developmental issues pertaining to these land,” he explained.
“What is happening in Guyana, can help to educate what is going on in North America and Mexico, where there have been for years and years strife surrounding indigenous land right,” Dr Narine said.
Dr Franklin said that Trent University expects that its understanding of the indigenous culture can only be deepened by a shared relationship between it and Guyana and this expansion of understanding of the indigenous culture is something the University has always endeavoured to achieve.
Dr. Franklin said that indigenous knowledge and studies provide an alternative way of understanding the earth and the people at Trent would be happy to come to Guyana to work and promote this type of understanding and vision in Guyana.