By Mark DaCosta- In a striking display of disregard for Indigenous rights, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government faced sharp criticism this week for its handling of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference 2024. The conference, which should serve as a forum for meaningful dialogue between Indigenous leaders and the government, has instead been marred by accusations of exclusion, manipulation, and historical revisionism.
The exclusion of key opposition figures from the conference has raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to democracy and the rights of Indigenous peoples. APNU+AFC parliamentarian and Leader of the Guyana Action Party, Vincent Henry, along with People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) representative Mervyn Williams, reported being forcibly removed from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre during the event.
Henry, who was escorted out by police, described the incident as “full-out dictatorship.” He recounted how his mere presence caused the Minister of Natural Resources’ presentation to be halted, only for him to be labelled an “imposter.”
Similarly, Williams claimed that senior officials from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the NTC orchestrated his removal, further accusing the PPP/C of unlawfully excluding Indigenous Guyanese from the conference. “This PPP government has no respect for citizens and the rule of law. This cannot be a democracy,” Williams asserted.
The National Toshaos Council, an annual gathering of Toshaos (Indigenous village leaders) from across Guyana, is intended to be a platform where Indigenous leaders discuss critical issues affecting their communities. However, under the PPP/C government, there have been growing concerns about the increasing political dominance over the conference’s agenda. The government’s control over the conference was criticised for diluting the voices of the Toshaos and pushing a partisan narrative.
However, the APA was quick to correct this historical inaccuracy, noting that the first NTC conference was held in 2003 with significant support from the APA, not the PPP/C. The APA stated, “The APA played a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of such a platform for Indigenous voices, a fact that should not be overlooked, as was done by the President in his attempt to rewrite the history of Indigenous Peoples’ development in Guyana.”
The APA’s criticism did not stop there. They accused the government of systematically sidelining Indigenous voices by controlling the conference agenda. According to the APA, Toshaos were only provided with the agenda minutes before sessions commenced, leaving them with no time to review or influence the discussions.
This tactic, they argued, silences dissent and prevents the Toshaos from addressing issues of genuine concern to their communities.
Moreover, the APA pointed out that the government’s attempts to undermine traditional Indigenous leadership structures were evident in Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai’s remarks. Sukhai’s comments, which dismissed meetings of Indigenous leaders as “masquerading” under the banner of District Councils, were described by the APA as “a slap in the face of their ancestors’ traditions and customs.”
The association highlighted that applications from Upper Mazaruni and North Pakaraimas to formally recognise their District Councils have languished in the Ministry without any action, despite the Amerindian Act outlining clear procedures for such recognition.
These incidents are not isolated but rather part of a broader pattern of exclusionary and autocratic behaviour by the PPP/C government. Since coming to power, the PPP/C has been accused of co-opting Indigenous forums like the NTC to advance their political agenda, rather than genuinely engaging with the concerns of Indigenous communities. The government’s heavy-handed approach, as seen in the forcible removal of opposition members and the manipulation of the conference agenda, raises serious questions about their respect for democratic principles and Indigenous rights.
The exclusion of key voices from the NTC Conference and the government’s revisionist rhetoric about its origins reflect a troubling trend. The National Toshaos Council was established to ensure that Indigenous leaders have a seat at the table when decisions are made about their lands and their future. However, under the current administration, this platform seems increasingly compromised.
As the conference continues, the voices of Indigenous leaders and their allies will need to be amplified if the original purpose of the NTC is to be preserved. It is essential that the government respects the autonomy of the NTC and allows it to function as a true representative body for Indigenous peoples in Guyana, free from political manipulation and coercion. The future of our nation’s Indigenous communities depends on it.
