A New and United Guyana (ANUG) extends sincere congratulations to the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) on the commencement of its 17th Annual Conference, held under the theme “Robust Governance for Sustainable Village Development”. This gathering of over 250 Toshaos and village leaders from across Guyana is a vital platform for addressing the pressing challenges and opportunities facing our Indigenous communities, especially in this pivotal election year.
We commend the Government of Guyana for the advancements made in Indigenous communities, particularly in healthcare, education, infrastructure and communication. However, the disparity between the hinterland and the coast remains significant. Most of our Amerindian brothers and sisters still live without electricity, potable water, basic sanitary service and internet access to name a few. We urge all stakeholders to intensify efforts to
bridge this gap, ensuring that Indigenous peoples genuinely benefit from our nation’s oil wealth. In this the 21stcentury we cannot continue to have two standards for our citizens depending on where you live. While subventions and grants are commendable, more sustainable initiatives are needed. We advocate for enhanced training in agriculture, provision of technical and material resources, improved marketing opportunities, connectivity, and the establishment of micro and medium-sized industries to bolster village economies. We also ask for our village leaders to have formal leadership training in areas of governance, financial management, auditing, public-speaking etc., while keeping the tenets of accountability, transparency and meritocracy. Only by having effective leadership can we adequately represent our citizens.
ANUG is deeply concerned about reports indicating that certain Indigenous representatives whether from the Parliamentary Opposition or Non-Governmental groups were absent from the opening ceremony of the conference, either by choice, logistical issues or non-invitation. ANUG believes that Guyana can only progress when all voices are heard and included in national dialogues. The NTC must ensure transparency in its dealings and decision-making processes, and we urge all Toshaos on the secretariat to be vigilant and uphold these principles ensuring that all representatives of our peoples have a voice at such an important forum. We urge the Secretariat to address logistical issues, always guided by the law and the Amerindian Act.
In light of these concerns, ANUG entreats all stakeholders, led by the government and specifically the Attorney General’s Department, to prioritize amendments to the Amerindian Act of 2006. These amendments are long overdue and must reflect the changing nature of our people’s developmental trajectory. This process should always be based on genuine national consultation and dialogue with input from all stake holders. ANUG fully supports this initiative.
ANUG acknowledges the government’s efforts in land titling activities as demonstrated by an increase from 5%-16% of our national territory. However, we echo the calls for more to be done in this regard with many villages still clamoring for their official recognition or for adjustments to existing titles. Land and its resources is very important to indigenous communities being critical for food security, religious purposes and resource gathering. Furthermore, we call on relevant authorities to address mining issues in certain communities, ensuring the protection of ecosystems, water resources, flora and fauna.
Education on the updated Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is crucial. Villagers must understand the importance of their work in protecting the forests and its resources in this context. We propose that a higher percentage of the revenues from forest conservation and carbon credits be allocated directly to the villages. The people who protect these resources should be the major beneficiaries of the value attained.
The recent aggression by Venezuela concerning the border controversy poses a direct threat to our Indigenous communities, especially those near the contested areas. ANUG resolutely stands in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, calling on the incumbent government to ensure their safety and the preservation of their way of life. We join the rest of Guyana in offering our unconditional support to the government and our disciplined services to ensure that the population is protected and our sovereignty maintained.
As we navigate these challenging times, ANUG reaffirms its commitment to the principles of inclusivity, transparency, meritocracy, and accountability. ANUG affirms unity with our Indigenous communities, advocating for their rights, safety, and prosperity. We ask those in charge to kindly ensure that all issues are addressed meaningfully and we do not see the same issues recurring year after year as evidenced by our participation in previous conferences. ANUG is available to help our Amerindian brothers and sisters in any way possible if needed.
