The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) is extending a warm welcome to toshaos and Indigenous leaders from across the nation who will gather in Georgetown from August 19 to 23, for the highly anticipated National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference.
This was communicated by way of a press statement issued yesterday, which noted that this event is particularly significant for Indigenous communities, who are facing rapid changes and seek to play a vital role in decision-making processes affecting their futures.
The APA said it recognises the NTC Conference as a pivotal platform for leaders to collectively assess progress and address challenges within their communities. The conference aims to support the advancement of Indigenous rights and well-being, providing toshaos with a crucial opportunity to represent their people and advocate for their needs, it added.
Central to the APA’s message is the importance of ensuring that Indigenous leaders have the freedom to voice their opinions, concerns, and solutions on complex issues, including land rights, environmental threats, and the delivery of essential services like education and healthcare. In its statement, the APA emphasised the need for this dialogue to occur in languages that are comfortable for the participants.
At this critical juncture in Guyana’s ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights, the APA said, the conference should be driven by Indigenous priorities and concerns, free from external agendas. While collaboration is encouraged, it is essential that the conference remains a forum where Indigenous leaders can advocate for their communities without undue influence, it added.
According to the statement, the APA is calling for respect for the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous leadership and supports a meaningful dialogue grounded in the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples. The organisation looks forward to a conference that reflects the unity, resilience, and strength of Indigenous communities, anticipating productive discussions and collaborative efforts that amplify the voices of toshaos and Indigenous people, it said.
