Residents of twelve indigenous villages in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) expressed concern about the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Land Ownership, when they met recently to discuss issues affecting their land rights, as well as to renew their commitment to pursuing full territorial rights for the indigenous people in the region.
According to a statement issued by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), the concerns raised included that it was the first time they were hearing about the CoI and feeling that the establishment of any commission that had implications for their land must be done through consultations with them through their chosen representatives.
The CoI, which was appointed by President David Granger on Friday, is tasked with examining and making recommendations to resolve all the issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or communal ownership of land acquired by freed Africans; claims of Amerindian land titling; and other matters relative to land titling.
The commission is chaired by Reverend George Chuck-a-Sang, who was sworn-in on Friday along with David James, Carol Khan-James, Professor Rudolph James, Lennox Caleb and Berlinda Persaud. The seventh member, Paulette Henry, was absent from the swearing in at State House due to urgent personal matters.
Meanwhile, according to the press release, the Region Seven meeting, which was the collaborative effort of the APA and the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC), saw the convergence of over 400 persons in village of Phillipai from February 28 to March 2.
Also participating were Attorney Nigel Hughes, who was present at the invitation of the UMDC, representatives from the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC) and a member of the Regions One and Two Land Tenure Assessment Team.
The release said APA President Mario Hastings called the event a “historic moment” as it represented one of the largest gatherings of the Akawaio and Arecuna peoples in recent times.
He also acknowledged the presence of the representatives of the other regions remarking on their support to the communities and the need for closer ties among indigenous peoples in Guyana who are undergoing similar experiences.
“This land conference was the result of the requests that you as a people have been making,” he was quoted as saying. The release said he added that it was an opportunity for people in the region to raise their concerns on the issues affecting them at district and community levels.
According to the release, Hastings commended the UMDC’s for its decades-long fight for the legal recognition of its territory in the Upper Mazaruni Land Case, which is expected to receive a ruling this year.
Among the matters raised and discussed at the conference were land titling and demarcation, the presence and impacts of mining concessions on titled and untitled customary lands; the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006; issues stemming from the possible establishment of protected areas in the region; and the implications of Guyana’s new venture into the oil and gas industry, the release said.
Among the next steps to be taken, the Region Seven communities will engage in a study to document their land tenure situation throughout the region. They also plan to engage different ministers to seek redress for the various issues confronting the communities. The conference was deemed a success, demonstrating the unity and strength of the communities of the Upper Mazaruni.
