In an ever widening rift, the government’s appointee on the affairs of Indigenous people and the non-governmental Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) traded accusations over comments made at and about the recent National Toshaos Committee (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Georgetown.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai accused the APA of undermining the significant progress at the NTC conference in a campaign driven by political motives rather than genuine concern for Amerindian development. But the NGO, maintaining that it is apolitical, has condemned her silence on the government’s continued trampling on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
“The APA maintains that it is an independent, non-political, non-partisan organisation that has always prioritised the well-being of Indigenous communities. Any suggestion that we are ‘in bed with the opposition’ is a gross mischaracterisation designed to undermine our credibility and distract from the legitimate concerns we raise on behalf of our people. Our constructive criticism of the government’s actions stems from a genuine commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of Indigenous rights — not from any political affiliation,” the APA said yesterday.