Heritage Month launched  

…President Ali tells indigenous community COVID-19 measures for hinterland to be rolled out soon  

President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has assured Indigenous Guyanese that the PPP/C government remains resolute in ensuring their safety not just at an individual level but also on issues of food security.

During a virtual address this evening to mark the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month, the President announced that soon the government will be introducing measures aimed directly at every household in the hinterland, to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have directed the Minister of Health to fast track hinterland interventions and measures and he has advised me that following sweeping consultations currently underway with Amerindian leaders, emergency measures will be announced shortly.”

The Head of State noted that Amerindian Heritage Month 2020 marks “the return to comprehensive Amerindian development which was placed front and centre by previous PPP/Civic Administrations.” “Sadly, over the past five years, there was an unfortunate regression in your development which we shall immediately reverse. Not only will we reverse the backward steps imposed by the Coalition government, but we will unlock a new era of rapid transformation for the hinterland communities and our First Peoples. And we will not wait for the COVID 19 Pandemic to subside. My Government will soon initiate a virtual consultation with the National Toshaos’ Council to chart the course of the delivery of our Manifesto promises,” the President pledged.

“Guyana’s First Peoples can be assured that under my administration, your economic and social empowerment will be non-political and non-negotiable,” Dr. Ali added.

The reintroduction of the household solar and the community development programmes and revision of the Amerindian Act were among other social service improvement measures that are expected to be rolled out to benefit Indigenous peoples across Guyana. “I understand your needs. I feel your needs. I know the areas of weakness. You communicated this to me directly and today, I want to assure you that I am committed even stronger than I was during the campaign to ensure that this government, your government work on fulfilling the aspirations and needs of your communities in giving you a stronger life, better life, a secure future and one in which the young people in your community can be proud of and know that every single Amerindian community has a sustainable and viable future,” President Ali promised.

Amerindian Heritage Month 2020 is being commemorated in unusual circumstances and the Head of State commended the effort of the Minister of Amerindian Affairs and her staff at the Ministry for ensuring the COVID-19 pandemic did not impede this year’s observances. “The Honorable Pauline Sukhai and her Ministry for their resourcefulness – considering the limitations of time, money and social restrictions – in organising today’s virtual launch. I applaud their innovative efforts in finding creative and virtual ways of celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month 2020.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai promised that attention will be placed on financing economic and creative projects, agriculture, tourism, and increase training opportunities for youths and women. Also, on the agenda are scholarships for tertiary education, the installation of ICT infrastructure and the reintroduction of the household solar programme. The Minister also assured that the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation project will resume. In the area of governance, Village Councils can expect closer cooperation from the government on matters of improving their management skills to advance the development of their respective villages.  Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) will guide the relationship between the Government and the Amerindian peoples, Minister Sukhai advised.

The preservation of Indigenous languages and the promotion of the culture and traditions of Guyana’s First peoples will also be a priority. This year’s Amerindian Heritage Month is being celebrated under the theme ‘Fostering Traditional Practices for a Safe Environment.’ In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the activities will be hosted virtually on the National Communications Network (NCN) and Department of Public Information (DPI) as well as the Ministry’s Facebook pages every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the month. (DPI)