Stabroek News Never should a conference of Toshaos be cancelled without respectful consultation of all Toshaos

Dear Editor,

Exercise of power must be tempered by a profound respect and understanding of those over whom power is exercised or what is produced is the kind of infamous and high-handed decision which occurred lately in cancellation of a conference of Toshaos.

To begin to understand the offence requires an understanding of the scope and influence of the Toshoas as administrative personnel who have powers of political and social representation often equal to those of a Minister in organizing the business of leadership and government of Guyana’s nine distinct First Nation Tribes. These tribes (Arawak, Warau, Carib, Akawaio, Patamona, Arekuna, Macushi, Wapishana, Waiwai) are distinct with their own languages, tribal decorations, handicrafts, hammock weaves, geographical locations. They will share some practices but the tribes do differ and they know what their differences are.

The Toshaos represent a resourceful and ancient people who have been neglected and often disregarded and treated with small respect by people who have taken on the aura of government and do not know their thumb from their elbow about how to do the job to create and achieve developmental outcomes. These elected/appointed government officials can be whimsical in their service or highhanded and may operate a patronage system where disapproval of what the authorities do is regarded as just troublesome. The worth of the critical process is not applauded.

Nevertheless, a setback is often a wonderful opportunity to bring in change and the ball is in the court of the Toshaos who must act immediately to define, for those who do not know, the importance of their role in achieving inclusivity in the new and prosperous Guyana whose lands were once the walking and hunting grounds of the tribes.

As a starting point I am suggesting the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs commissions an extensively researched and illustrated volume which names and describes the nine tribes, all compiled in a massive work of celebration of the ancient and transforming presence of the First Nations of Guyana. The Toshaos must all be listed and described. The victim identity must be rejected if and where it exists. The First Nations do not have to beg recognition; their presence has been from the very start. An administrative salary needs to be paid to the Toshaos who must have a financial measure of their worth as representatives. The researched work should show all of this.

I was honoured to know Stephen Campbell. He wore no victim mantle. He was a man, sure of himself and his ability to represent. He did that. For that reason I reject the watch words of the Guyanese Organization of Indigenous Peoples because they sound beggarly:’ Survival, Land, Dignity’. They carried the victim aura. Is this organization still functional?

Not only does the Minister have to understand what leadership is all about but she has to consider the quality of those being led. What are the followers like? Never should a conference of Toshaos be cancelled without respectful consultation of all Toshaos and this has to be formally recognized. If this does not happen, the message is sent that the tribes are inferior, can be bossed around and have no ideas. Those who pelt rank like this might function better in another position.

Toshaos need to begin to record the scope of their work in participative government. The Minister needs to find out about servant leadership. The authoritarian style of leadership is offensive and outmoded. If big money is playing, the resources will be there to achieve much that is uplifting and cohesive in government. This government has inherited an ancient wrong which needs setting right now. There are ways to do all of this, if the necessary research and consultation take place, if the tribes speak up.