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By Mark DaCosta- As September marks the observance of Indigenous Heritage Month in Guyana, a celebration meant to honour our country’s first inhabitants, it also brings into sharp focus the injustices they continue to face under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime. This month, often referred to as Amerindian Heritage Month by the PPP, is a misnomer for many Indigenous Guyanese, who see the term “Amerindian” as outdated and offensive. Despite these sentiments, the PPP has ignored calls to update the terminology, highlighting its disregard for the wishes of the very people this celebration is meant to uplift.
In the context of Indigenous Heritage Month, it is crucial to examine the challenges Indigenous communities face under the heavy-handed rule of the PPP. Guyana is home to approximately 110,000 Indigenous people, spread across the hinterlands, living in remote villages, and relying on the government for essential services. Yet, the PPP government has consistently failed to address their needs, except during election time when small, insubstantial gifts are hastily distributed in an attempt to buy votes.
One of the most pressing issues affecting Indigenous communities is the ongoing land allocation dispute. For years, Indigenous Guyanese have struggled to secure legal recognition of their ancestral lands. While some areas have been demarcated, the process is slow, and many Indigenous groups still do not have legal titles to the lands they have occupied for centuries.
The PPP has been accused of dragging its feet on these issues, prioritising corporate interests, particularly in the extractive industries, over the rights of the Indigenous people. Mining, especially illegal gold mining, continues to be a major issue. Not only does it displace communities, but it also causes devastating environmental destruction, contaminating water sources and disrupting traditional ways of life. The government’s unwillingness to regulate these activities, many of which are driven by foreign interests, is a clear indication of where their loyalties lie.
Equity in education is another glaring issue. Indigenous children in the hinterland regions often face insurmountable challenges in accessing quality education. Schools are frequently understaffed, poorly resourced, and located far from communities, forcing many students to travel long distances or stay in substandard dormitories.
The dropout rates remain alarmingly high, with many Indigenous youths feeling that the education system is designed to keep them marginalised rather than empower them. While the PPP government has made promises to improve education in these regions, little has been done to follow through, and the gaps in infrastructure and opportunities persist.
Healthcare in Indigenous communities is equally inadequate. Clinics in remote villages are often understaffed and lack essential medicines and equipment. Indigenous people are forced to travel to the coast for even basic medical treatment, which is not only costly but often life-threatening due to the poor state of hinterland transportation networks. The PPP government’s continued neglect of healthcare infrastructure in these regions speaks to its broader disregard for the well-being of Indigenous citizens.
Employment opportunities for Indigenous people remain scarce. Most job creation schemes are centred on urban areas, leaving hinterland residents with few options other than agriculture, which is itself under threat due to illegal logging and mining. Without access to decent employment, many Indigenous families remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, reliant on subsistence farming and the occasional government handout during election campaigns.
Food security is another critical concern. With the influx of illegal mining and logging activities, many Indigenous communities have lost access to traditional hunting and farming lands. This has resulted in decreased agricultural production, leading to food shortages in some areas. The PPP government, which has overseen these destructive activities, has done little to alleviate the situation, often brushing it aside as a consequence of “economic development.”
Access to clean water is a persistent challenge as well. Illegal mining activities have contaminated many of the rivers and streams Indigenous communities rely on for drinking water. The mercury used in gold mining, in particular, poses a significant health risk, but the PPP government has failed to take meaningful action to mitigate these dangers. In many cases, water must be transported over long distances at great expense, further burdening already struggling communities.
Housing, too, is inadequate, with many Indigenous families living in poorly constructed homes that are vulnerable to the elements. The PPP government has failed to provide affordable housing solutions in these regions, despite repeated promises. Transportation infrastructure, vital for connecting remote communities to the rest of the country, remains woefully underdeveloped. Poor roads and a lack of reliable public transportation mean that Indigenous people often have to pay exorbitant fees to travel to coastal areas for work, education, or healthcare.
The PPP’s neglect of Guyana’s Indigenous people is evident in almost every aspect of governance. Their issues are rarely given attention in national discourse, and when they are, it is usually during election cycles when the government doles out small gifts and makes empty promises. This tokenism is a slap in the face to a people who have contributed so much to the cultural and environmental heritage of Guyana. Their rights are systematically undermined by a government more concerned with maintaining power and appeasing foreign investors than addressing the real needs of its citizens.
As Indigenous Heritage Month unfolds, it is a stark reminder of how the PPP has failed Guyana’s Indigenous population. Their struggles are not new, but they are perpetuated by a government that has repeatedly shown its disregard for their dignity, welfare, and aspirations. This month should not only be about celebrating Indigenous culture but also about acknowledging the ongoing fight for justice and equality in a country where the Indigenous people continue to be marginalised. As long as the PPP remains in power, that fight will likely continue.
