Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month activities said that to promote cultural development, government this year has allocated $35M which will go towards the further growth of indigenous groups in the various villages.
Heritage Month 2012 was officially launched by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs under the theme “Embracing Our Identity, Celebrating our Culture”, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a press release on Thursday.
The launching ceremony was held at the Hinterland Scholarship Student Dormitory at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
The celebrations will run from August 31 to September 30. The formal opening ceremony will be on September 1 at the Amerindian Village, Sophia, Georgetown.
During the month of activities, there will be reflections on the life, work and contribution of the first Amerindian Parliamentarian, Stephen Campbell, the release noted.
In addition, the spotlight will be placed on indigenous craft and culture, Amerindians’ contributions to national development, sports, an interfaith service and a food exhibition and sale.
Meanwhile, instead of an art competition, students will now be involved in a painting competition which will be held at the Kitty seawall. They will be judged on their creativity on indigenous culture and lifestyle.
Speaking on the protection and preservation of indigenous culture, Minister Sukhai stated that over the years, government has succeeded in raising awareness at the national level and local levels.
This is necessary, the release noted, as the ministry has been striving to enhance attention on cultural development and languages at the community levels.
“In our five-year strategic plan, we stated very clearly that this will be the focus and there are a number of interventions which we hope to implement in support of the preservation and protection of Amerindian languages and culture,” Sukhai is quoted by GINA as saying.
While heritage activities’ venues will be expanded this year, the annual heritage day observances will be held at Micobie, Region Eight.
For the arts and craft lovers, exhibitions will be held at the Umana Yana, Kingston on a daily basis, while Amerindian cuisine will be on sale at the Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s compound for the entire month.
The cultural show will take place from September 1 to 5 at the Amerindian village at Sophia.
Leslyn Lowe, member of the coordinating committee, invited Guyanese to support the month of activities.
She also spoke of the cultural performances which will be held at Umana Yana, and the annual heritage dinner on September 28 at the Regency Suites.
“During the launch there will be samples of indigenous foods, shared among the audience so that Guyanese can be exposed to more of what is indigenous,” she said.
