The Caucus of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) was officially launched on the final day of the 13th National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference yesterday.
Tony James, a representative of the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), informed conference participants that considering the fact that the CIP is in the process of consolidating and a number of organisational and administrative matters are yet to be addressed, the months-old group has elected a steering committee, which will work to draft an action platform and work plan and refine the roles and functions of the grouping.
Further, he said, the caucus board will be named the National Indigenous Advisory Council (NIAC), which will have two members from each indigenous non-governmental organisation, district councils and the NTC. Representatives for women, youth and community-based organisations will also be included. James said that all members of the board must have experience and working knowledge of issues such as indigenous rights, REDD+, and land rights, among others.
The steering committee comprises Nicholas Fredericks, Russian Dorrick and Loretta Fiedtkou, who are representatives of the NTC; Laura George and Lemmel Benson of the Amerindian Peoples Association; Mary Valenzuela and Colin Klautky of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples; Paul Pierre of the Moruca Sub Regional District Council; Toshao Mario Hastings of the Upper Mazaruni District Council; Sherry Ann Balkaran and Charles Lewis are representatives of the North Pakaraimas District Council; Toshao Flagan Carter of the Region 10 Regional Council; Mike Williams of the North Rupununi District Development Board; Kid James of the South Communities Peoples Development Association; Ashton Simon and Beverly Roberts of the National Amerindian Development Foundation; Christopher Lowe of the Indigenous Cultural Movement of Guyana; and Peter Persaud of the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana.
During the launch, Tony James said the caucus will focus on a number of environmental issues, including the impacts of mining. Focus will also be placed on strengthening culture and the traditions of the Indigenous Peoples. In addition, he said, members of the caucus will be expected to put aside any political affiliations so as to establish a unifying platform for advocating for Indigenous Peoples rights.
Balkaran and Kid James, when introducing themselves to attendees, said that they are looking forward to representing and fighting for the rights of Indigenous people on this platform.
The formation of the CIP was announced in July and the development is seen as significant as it brings the major indigenous groups on a common platform to represent their issues. In the past, though the organisations have largely common goals, their focus has been different and working collectively was more the exception than the rule. “It is envisioned that the role of the caucus will be to formulate and enable a common platform for representation of issues and rights of Indigenous Peoples,” a statement at the time said.
James further told attendees that emerging priority issues to be focused on by the CIP are land rights, governance and leadership, the right to free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in the developmental framework of Guyana, and enhancing indigenous women and youth representation and participation in national decision-making.
