…as Amerindian Heritage Month launched
Amerindian heritage month celebrations got off to a lively start yesterday with messages of gratitude to the Amerindian people for their part in shaping a true Guyanese cultural identity and President Bharrat Jagdeo promised $2B worth of access roads in three key regions.
And even as the preservation of their culture is necessary President Jagdeo has implored that this was no reason for them to be treated as museum pieces. Instead Jagdeo said the two objectives of ensuring that they progress materially yet at the same time ensure a preservation of their culture could be achieved without any conflict.
This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme, “Securing our livelihood while sustaining our cultural diversity”, a theme he said was timely and very encouraging.
The singing of the national anthem in the Akawaio dialect by students of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, then in English by the Circle of Love group, opened yesterday’s ceremony at the Sophia Exhibition Complex which has set the tone for the month of celebrations which includes cultural nights and food and craft extravaganzas and a full day of activities in the Berbice riverain community of Orealla which has been designated this year’s Amerindian Heritage Village.
Addressing those gathered under the main benab, Jagdeo said the celebrations during the month of September have over the years resulted in the growth of knowledge of the culture of the Amerindian peoples. Meanwhile, he told those gathered that his government would never impose in any of its developmental models, anything that is alien to their culture.
“Whatever model or initiative we try to improve your well-being, it will be done carefully and with the consent of the people living in the communities,” Jagdeo vowed.
He argued too that there was maximum respect for the peoples and their right to make choices whether it be who to elect at the local and national level as leaders or to retain their cultural identity.
“We fought for these things and no model will be imposed to alter your way of life. No ideal will be pushed on you without your consent,” he reiterated to applause.
Meanwhile, he outlined that over the next two years more money will be spent on communities in areas that community members feel are sustainable.
He acknowledged that transporting goods for markets was an issue in terms of the time taken and revealed that some $2b would be spent next year on improving access roads in Regions One, 10 and eight.
Jagdeo said too that as part of a pilot programme many homes in Amerindian communities have benefitted from electricity through solar units.
He said the intention is to have every home receive electricity and children in those areas afforded the saiime opportunities as those in other areas.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai also addressed the gathering and underscored the contributions of Amerindians to Guyana.
She pointed too to the National Hinterland Secure Livelihoods programme under which opportunities will be provided for youths to have on-the-job training. Additionally, she noted that more value-added products will be produced and more persons encouraged to become entrepreneurs.
Sukhai revealed too that in some communities experiments would be done with turmeric and spices to determine their economic potential.
She said the ministry intends to enhance the opportunities for Amerindians and support economic activities in the villages. She urged that persons visit Amerindian villages, noting that many communities could contribute to domestic tourism.
Further, Sukhai acknowledged that work needed to be done in the area of governance at the village level, saying that the National Toshaos Council has recognized that enhancing leadership and governance among the leaders was important.
Mclean De Vair, Toshao of Orealla Village enthusiastically invited all to be part of celebrations in his village on September 11.
At yesterday’s ceremony awards were also represented to outstanding grade Six assessment students and those who were successful at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination.