Dear Editor,
The assault on our history by highly paid, high-tech propagandists continues unchecked.
How much more distortion, dishonesty and disregard will take place during this month designated to honour our Amerindian brothers and sisters? The old folks say, ‘Wa a mouth na load’ meaning, it is not what you say but what you do that matters.
All this month from the President down, we’ve heard statements about honouring our indigenous people, plus some nonsense about what started in 1992. As we are at our international airport, it is announced that we had just landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. This itself disregards and dishonours our Amerindian heritage.
I recall wide-ranging consultations that took place before the then Atkinson Field Airport was renamed Timehri, to show due regard, recognition, and respect for the Amerindian community.
The peculiar rock carvings done by the Amerindians was the word which was adopted for the international airport. This followed research and ample consultations headed by two great Guyanese, Mr Denis Williams and Mr Adrian Thompson. The leader of a religious group from Amakapai, (Amakokopai) village, Mr Aibilibing was invited with others to perform the traditional smoke dance at the renaming of the airport – a sort of consecration.
We now insult the entire Amerindian, if not the entire Guyanese community, by no longer referring to Timehri to identify our airport – and for years not a squeak from friends. Has our history faculty at the university gone to sleep?
I drew attention to this unfortunate renaming when without consultation or notice it was done. If this administration is sincere or serious about honouring our Amerindians this month and beyond, then simply restore the name Timehri to our airport, and have those two murals somehow redone or placed in a prominent position so, as was the case earlier, when visitors arrived we show them some representation of our earliest inhabitants.
The Minister of Culture and Sport should take action while we await his comments on the swimming pool.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
