Nineteen indigenous men and women from across Guyana were recognised on September 26 for their contributions to Guyana’s development at the Umana Yana.
According to a GINA press release, Stephen Campbell (deceased), Guyana’s first Indigenous Member of Parliament, was remembered for his fight for Guyana’s independence and the rights of Indigenous people.
The release stated that those honoured would have served in their field of work for over 25 years. They include Rita Robeiro, Ignatius Adams, Retired Captain John Flores, Jean La Rose, Lascels Pearson, Ramona Bennett, Winslow Craig, Charles Holmes, Ovid Williams, Clara Boston, Natasha Poone, Leonard Frederick, Kenco Yaimo, Julie Willie, Roy Edwin, Valentine Jose, Elizabeth Abraham and Joseph Abraham.
The honourees received a plaque and a pin in the shape of a Guyana map with nine feathers to represent the nine indigenous tribes in Guyana.
According to the release, Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, speaking at the ceremony, said that Campbell lived up to what it means to be indigenous. He noted that Campbell was a very humble person who was keen on empowering the Indigenous people to be an asset in the development of Guyana.
“It starts with a commitment, it revolves around a passion, strong conviction, sincere objectives, the belief in justice, love of fellow men and it ends with another generation,” the release quoted the Minister as saying.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, in her remarks, according to the release, said that the part Campbell played in the lives of Indigenous people must never be forgotten.
She pointed to his role in ensuring that Indigenous lands remained that of the Indigenous people. “He wanted to make sure that our Indigenous brothers and sisters were safe in their lands, that their lands were safe in their hands,” the release quoted her as saying.
Additionally, the release stated that the Minister thanked those honoured for the role they played in empowering their indigenous brothers and sisters and Guyana as a whole. “It is really an honour and privilege for us to recognize you as persons who have contributed to Guyana in so many ways,” the release quoted her as telling the honourees.
The activity was part of the celebrations of Indigenous Heritage Month which was being observed under the theme “Our Culture, Earth’s Future-Saving the Environment, Live the Indigenous Way.”
Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock, (second from left in front row) with Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe (third from right in front row) along with the 18 persons who were honoured.
