Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs concludes seven-day outreach in Region Nine

Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown GINA, July 17, 2015, Source

Meetings were held at Aishalton, Sand Creek, Shulinab, St Ignatius, Nappy, Yupukari, Toka, Aranaputa, Karasabai and Annai. Among the issues raised by residents of the respective villages were, access to quality health and education services, the need for support in the areas of agriculture, communication, security, water and land rights.

The issue of land titling and demarcation was the most prevalent amongst villagers, since the communities’ developmental agenda is solely dependent on the regularization of land.

According to James, the issue of lands rights will be prioritized. He said the Ministry is currently reviewing the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation Project which began about 2 years ago under the previous administration. It is expected that very shortly, investigations will continue, which will see a team spreading out into communities earmarked for titling and demarcation.

James further explained that once the investigation is completed, a report will be prepared and reviewed and recommendations made will be acted upon. One of the requests from the villagers is that they be made privy to some of the information coming out of the investigation so that they can validate it. “It should be an exercise that brings satisfaction to the villagers and of course Government,” James stressed.

There was also a clarion call by the youths for a more structured approach to the development of sports within the communities. Recognising that Hinterland communities have not been benefiting from a structured sports programme, Williams announced that the Ministry is in the process of meeting the needs of the community in this regard.

“There is naturally rich talent in the hinterland. The discipline is there, the capacity is there, the desire is there, but there is need for a structured approach,” Williams noted.  He said, one aspect of that programme has to do with football and the Ministry is working on a three-year plan beginning January 1016, to ensure that there is a significant presence of Indigenous footballers (both men and women), on the national football team.

Further, the impressed GFF Technical Director Bolton  has committed to partnering with the Ministry in designing a programme in this regard.  The Ministry, in collaboration with the GFF, is in the process of indentifying individuals in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine to participate in a coaching programme during the month of August. The GFF will ultimately design a programme that takes coaching into Hinterland communities and those persons will be involved in that village-based programme.

The residents were also informed by the team that a similar  approach will be taken for scouting, to equip  adult leaders to take charge of the local training and place at least one scout group in each Hinterland region.

In terms of education, it was recognised that the Regional Education Department lacks the resources to reach out to the schools. As such, Minister Allicock has committed to immediately providing an All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) to the Department so that the officers  can visit the schools regularly.

There is also the question of cultural development, for which Minister Lowe has lead responsible. She informed the residents that the Ministry is working on a plan that will see Indigenous culture being significantly boosted, especially as it relates to the Indigenous languages, craft, clothing and food. The aim is to harness and promote the talent of the people, which can result in the way of life of the Indigenous people becoming a tourist commodity.

Minister Allicock made it clear that he will be strongly pushing for tourism in Amerindian communities working in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the villages.