Indigenous women and youth from the Upper Mazaruni District, Region Seven are calling for increased awareness and education regarding the Amerindian Act of 2006, as well as an emphasis on language preservation and skills training programmes, a release from the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has stated.
It informed that these calls were made during a three-day leadership and governance workshop which ran from October 29 to November 1 in Paruima Village, Upper Mazaruni District, which targeted Indigenous women and youth and was facilitated by the APA in collaboration with the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC). Participants included over 100 women and youth from Jawalla, Phillipai, Omanaik, Kamarang, Waramadong, Kako, Paruima, and Chinoweing.
These trainings are expected to develop new and emerging leaders with a strong sense of leadership who are proud of their heritage and traditions and knowledgeable of their rights in the context of village and national development efforts and policy changes.