The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and key partners have embarked on a two-year project aimed at the demarcation and titling of Indigenous lands in Guyana and the revision of the Amerindian Act.
The “Securing and enhancing Indigenous land tenure in Guyana” project, which began in mid-July and runs until July of 2021, is being undertaken by the APA, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA), the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) and the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC)/ South Central People’s Development Association (SCPDA) with US$1.6 million in grant funding from the International Land and Forest Tenure Facility.
In a press release issued on Friday, the APA, which is the project holder, said it believes that it is an important step in allowing Indigenous Peoples to take the lead in the initiatives related to land titling and related processes.
It explained that the project has three components that focus on demarcation and titling of Indigenous lands, the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006, and various issues related to land management plans and continued land talks with the government by the Wapichan communities of southern Guyana. It noted that the three components are complementary and mutually-reinforcing as they involve the implementation of land titling with Indigenous communities while working to support government in the development and implementation of policies that recognise and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It added that the scope for closing the gaps and learning quick lessons from past titling and demarcation efforts and facilitating an Indigenous-led land titling approach in collaboration with government is a key aspect of the project.
The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility, the release noted, is a multi-stakeholder financial mechanism that focusses on securing land and forest rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities following the current laws and guidelines of the country in which the project is being implemented.
