Heritage Village celebrations highlight contributions of Parliamentarian Stephen Campbell – PM Hinds

Georgetown, GINA, September 11, 2011
Source - GINA

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai being escorted in style to the Heritage Village in Aishalton, Region Nine.

Hundreds of Guyanese including Amerindians flocked to Aishalton, Region 9, on September 10, the selected Heritage Village, for the continuation of Heritage Month celebrations. Heritage Day was designated to showcase the work of the first Amerindian Parliamentarian, Stephen Campbell who on September 10, 1957 entered Guyana’s parliament to represent the Indigenous people.

The theme for this year’s Amerindian Heritage Month is “Our culture, our heritage, our life: a fusion of indigenous diversity” which presents the opportunity for Amerindians to reflect on their historical heritage.

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds in his address expressed satisfaction with being a part of the celebrations to honour Campbell. He noted that it was a significant step when Stephen Campbell entered parliament because it signalled the coming together of the different peoples.

Prime Minister Hinds recognised that Guyana was faced with challenges that were clearly seen and enunciated by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan in the mid-forties. “It was his hope that we would work at building our country and coming together as one, more or less at the same time, because as we work we would help each other, extend assistance, tell others of the way we do things, and in that course, create the contacts and bonds that would bring us together as one; this was his great hope and this was realized in 1992 when the PPP/C ascended to office,” he said.

PPP Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar addressing the Heritage Celebration in Aishalton.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai noted the actions taken by the PPP/C administration in 1995 to ensure that national development took place among the diverse ethnic groups.

“Therefore, I also want to recognise the wisdom of the late former leader Dr. Jagan when he made that bold step to ensure that Amerindians were provided with an opportunity to celebrate their heritage,” she stated.

Sukhai emphasised that that opportunity not only brought together Guyanese but today they have matured to the level where all the ethnic groups now participate in national celebrations.

She emphasised that during Heritage Month celebrations there is evidence of growth in interest, appreciation, recognition and acceptance of Amerindian culture, heritage, and life and that their development will remain a focal point in the national development agenda.

(from right) Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, PPP Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar and Chairperson of the National Toshao Council Yvonne Pearson at the Aishalton Heritage Day celebrations.

“We must also celebrate our advancement which does not mean that we have accepted induced advancement but celebrate the responsible approach that we have displayed with the opportunities that are being offered to us so that we are able to mainstream our ethnic groups into the lifeblood of Guyana,” Sukhai expressed. She was referring to opportunities in education, jobs and being part of the national decision-making process, at the Parliamentary and Cabinet levels.

“As we celebrate, I want to encourage this current generation of Amerindians to ensure that they make a commitment to not only develop themselves but to contribute significantly to the development of your village,” she added.

She pointed out key leaders such as Doreen Jacobis, Yvonne Pearson, Bertie Xavier and George Norton who are pursuing Amerindian development.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker while delivering his remarks reminisced on the fact that this year’s Heritage Village celebration is the 15th occasion that Guyana as a nation, has joined with the Amerindians to celebrate the occasion.

He noted that the PPP/C Government has worked with and has provided the resources that have allowed Amerindians throughout Guyana, to enrich and preserve their culture and heritage, which resulted in their improved livelihoods.

Dancers performing on stage during the Aishalton Heritage Day celebrations.

Whittaker emphasised that the Administration believes in development with identity hence decisions concerning the nature of development in the numerous communities across Guyana are not made centrally but, inculcates consultations at the level of the village council, village meeting, the regional authorities, National Toshaos Council (NTC), and even at the level of the Indigenous People’s Commission. These consultations are crucial because it is believed the indigenous people must be a part of the decision-making process, and the implementation and monitoring of projects that take place in their respective communities.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar recognised that there is much to be celebrated, as far as achievements are concerned, and one of those things is the knowledge and foresight of the Amerindians who have kept Guyana in a fairly pristine state. Today, this has allowed Guyana to take a leading role internationally, in the fight to preserve the environment, reverse climate change and ensuring that people all over the world have a good life. This was made possible by centuries of knowledge of the indigenous people.

Ramotar pointed out that for a very long time the Amerindians were left out of the mainstream of activities, and that was one of the early challenges that the PPP/C government had to face. “We have concluded that we have to make available the important social services of education and health and other possibilities to give our people equal opportunities,” he said.

He emphasised that thus far much has been achieved and this is evident in the fact that today, in every nook and cranny there are educational and health institutions, and the government was able to encourage school-aged children to stay in school by providing hot meals, text books and other facilities, including the accessibility to secondary education in hinterland communities.

Ramotar recalled that in 1963 when former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan opened the University of Guyana, he had expressed his hope that the university will create the conditions for anyone irrespective of location, to access higher education. This has been the dream of the PPP/C from its inception and today that dream in becoming a reality.

“As we celebrate, encourage and develop our individual cultures, let us continue to work and build with all the strands in our community, a Guyanese culture so that our motto “One people, One nation, One destiny” will find real meaning in our land.”

Toshao Hildebrand James expressed appreciation for the opportunity given to share the community’s cultural heritage with the rest of Guyana with the hope that their potential for development is recognised.

Heritage Village celebrations were attended by Government officials, members of the NTC, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission and Regional officials.

A Govt by the People FOR THE PEOPLE. Congrats to our Amerindian Brothers and Sisters.

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
A Govt by the People FOR THE PEOPLE. Congrats to our Amerindian Brothers and Sisters.

Tell yuh PPP bruddahs, they should spend billions to equip the Amerindians for what is coming.

Indians and Negroes are going to fight over the ballot boxes for centuries to come-resulting in no progress. And the Venez and Brazilians are going move into the country and tek it over. In reality Indians and blacks doan care much about developing a nation. They just want to be the government. Progress as a nation is too far from their minds.

Eventually Guyana will loose Essequibo. The thing for the GOG to do, is devise a plan and train the Amerindians as a contingent of the army. Educate them in goverance, select a number of Amerindians and place at the parliament buildings as observers.

The leaky cables gave a glimpse of what is possible to come. This way, atleast yuh would have armed the Amerindians to govern the Essequibo-it is their country anyway. Do the honourable thing and free them from further bondage. The Pope tek away their lands and gave it to spain and portugal at the treaty of tordellas.

Behind the dark glasses someone seems to be asleep.

quote:

Originally posted by cain:

Behind the dark glasses someone seems to be asleep.

Were you sleeping there, Cain?

Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant delegates hosted at cocktail

Written by GINA
Tuesday, 13 September 2011 01:53
Source - Guyana Chronicle

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds with Amerindian Heritage Pageant contestants

PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai Sunday evening were among the patrons at a cocktail hosted at the El Dorado Inn for the 2011 Amerindian Heritage Pageant delegates.

The 10 delegates, after a brief introduction spent the evening mingling with some well-known personalities.

Treasure James, Heidi Pearson, Naomi Samuels, Marcia Ramjohn, Devika Lopes, Nesha Vantra, Joyce Paul, Julene Salti and Anece Hicks are the delegates competing for the Miss Amerindian Heritage Month title.

The pageant, slated for Saturday at the National Cultural Centre, is part of the series of activities the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has planned to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Collin Croal; Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Yvonne Pearson; fashion designer Sonia Noel; and former queens of the pageant were among invitees at the event.