President Jagdeo launches Amerindian Heritage Month -
pledges
Government continued support to Amerindian Development
Georgetown, GINA, September 1, 2003
President Bharrat Jagdeo this afternoon officially
launched Amerindian Heritage Month 2003 and pledged his Government's
continued support to the development of the country's indigenous
peoples.
"The land issue must be solved. I know we have to go beyond
the land identified in 1960. It will be done in consultation with
the indigenous people. I can promise you that my Government would
stay focus on this," the Head of State declared.
He took the opportunity to call on Amerindian Leaders to work
along with Government, especially in support of establishing a
National Protected Areas System (NPAS), which has become stalemated
because of some advocacy group holding back the progress of this
programme.
The President pointed out that the NPAS would ensure that the
traditional activities of the indigenous peoples are maintained,
while protecting the natural resources and the traditional way
of life of Amerindians.
The launching signified a month of activities to mark the ninth
consecutive year of observance of Amerindian Heritage in Guyana.
The declaration of Amerindian Heritage Month and Amerindian Heritage
Day came in 1995 after the first and former Minister of Amerindian
Affairs Vibert De Souza pressed for some observance for the Amerindian
people.
While it provides the opportunity to nationally showcase Amerindian
Culture, Amerindian Heritage Month, President Jagdeo said, should
serve to check on, among other things, Government's programmes
and policies, to ensure that Amerindians are not excluded from
national life and to recognise and honour the contributions of
Amerindians to Guyana as well as to revitalize the pride in the
history and traditions of Amerindians.
Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues
in her address at the launching said since the designation of
Amerindian Heritage Month there has been an increase in consciousness
and pride.
"People who are not Amerindian are proud of their Amerindian
ancestry," she said, adding "as Guyanese we still have
some work to do in realizing … that no group is superior
to the other when it comes to respect. For a very long time this
respect that I am speaking about was disregarded when it came
to Amerindian people."
She said it is necessary to understand each other's culture, for
only when there is an understanding of the various cultures will
people "appreciate the differences and identify with the
similarities."
The Minister lauded the efforts of the more than 30 Amerindian
communities which would be having individual observances during
the month. These, activities she said were carefully planned so
that there is no overlapping of events of other nearby communities.
This is because of the brotherliness displayed at the community
level.
Government when it took Office in 1992, had as one of its priorities
a development programme for Amerindians. Minister Rodrigues pointed
to Government's policy of providing equal opportunities for all
Guyanese as far as possible.
Amerindians have benefited significantly in all sectors from resources
of the present administration. The Minister highlighted some of
the ongoing projects such as the Revision of the Amerindian Act,
which is expected to be taken to the National Assembly early next
year, a massive birth certificate programme and the land demarcation
and extension programmes.
As it relates to preserving Amerindian culture, Minister Rodrigues
said "we have to balance those aspects of our culture that
are sacred and positive that we want to preserve, at the same
time we have to adapt to today's society."
She noted that it is not a matter of change, but rather how fast
the change is coming. Towards this end, the month of activities
are being observed under the theme "Igniting our indigenous
roots amidst change."
As part of the general idea to promote and highlight Amerindian
culture, a village is designated "Heritage Village"
every year.
St. Ignatius in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), is
the Amerindian Heritage Village this year and several cultural
activities are planned for the September 10 observance in the
Rupununi community.
Among these would be the recognition and honouring of several
persons in the Region who have made significant contributions
to the various Amerindian communities in the Region in the fields
of education, health, community services etc.
In Santa Rosa in Region One (Barima/Waini) a monument was erected
a few years ago with the names of community members who have contributed
to the community in various ways, inscribed on. Every year, during
Amerindian Heritage Month a special day of activities is held
at the monument site. Similar activities are held in Amerindian
villages across the country.
The rich Amerindian culture and strong traditional practices have
certainly impacted positively on the Guyanese culture and national
development. The pepperpot is a special dish for Guyanese. This
food was derived from the Amerindians of this country and is very
special at Christmas, in particular.
The Golden Arrowhead of Achievement, the national Headdress, the
Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, and the names of
several communities and popular sites around the country have
their origin from the indigenous people of Guyana as well.
Government continues to dedicate significant resources to further
enhancing the lives of Amerindians in Guyana. To support this
year's celebrations, Cabinet has approved $5M to be used by the
various Regions in their celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month.
The designation of Amerindian Heritage Month is one of the significant
achievements for Guyanese Amerindians under the present PPP/C
Administration.
Though it has not been proclaimed a National Holiday as yet, the
mere designation is a momentous achievement in recognising the
contributions and the value of Amerindian heritage to the Guyanese
society. The PPP/C Government has done much more than recognising
Amerindian culture. It has dedicated much of its resources to
developing the infrastructure and intellectual capacity of Amerindians
countrywide.
At the launching there were special performances by the Kurashiri
Troupe from Santa Rosa in Region One and the Sand Creek Group
from Region Nine.
President Jagdeo was presented with a specially-made cotton hammock,
while Minister Rodrigues received a tibisiri handbag.
TOP
Monday
September 1, 2003