Indigenous people in Guyana encouraged to recognise development during Amerindian Heritage Month

By Kevin Lindon

Caribbean Net News Guyana Correspondent

Email: kevin@caribbeannetnews.com

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Ministry of Amerindians Affairs in Guyana on Monday launched the annual celebrations of Amerindian Heritage Month, which is being observed under the theme “Inspiring our nation to move forward in Unity”.

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Guyana's Amerindian Affairs Ministry to launch website

Guyana, South America - The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will later this month launch a website to ensure that information on issues pertaining to Amerindians and their rights are more readily accessible, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Minister Carolyn Rodrigues said this development follows government's recognition of the growing need for information on existing services, entitlements and opportunities available to Amerindians.

According to GINA, the minister said that persons utilising the site will have access to information pertaining to land rights, the Amerindian Act, the hinterland scholarship programme and a variety of other social services provided by the ministry.

She explained that candidates for the scholarship programme would have access to features such as online application forms, entry requirements and the list of academic and technical-vocational programmes facilitated through the ministry.

Extended infrastructural facilities such as electricity in some hinterland areas have facilitated previously inaccessible services such as internet access.

This has opened up avenues for information sharing, educational research and existing opportunities on the coastland.

It is hoped also that the new initiative would encourage increased use of the internet for data retrieval by Amerindians, GINA concluded.

Source: Stabroek News

Amerindian ministry taking steps to curb fleecing of interior workers

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues has voiced concerns about Amerindian men working in the logging and other areas not being given remuneration.

Rodrigues said "we haven't had many reports from the women but of our Amerindian men going out to work in mining, logging and in other areas and not being paid" a Government Information Agency press release said. The minister said some workers who travel from far distances to obtain work are often told to return home and that their money would come by mail. Rodrigues said this year her ministry would be "cracking down on individuals and companies who try to swindle Amerindians." The ministry will be working closely with the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, who grant concessions to companies involved in logging and mining, to try to curb this practice.

Rodrigues said the ministry intends to take a more aggressive stance on the issue and will publish the names of individuals, some of whom are "very prominent people that you would not expect this from" as some of them have appeared repeatedly. The minister also called for a reform of the Code of Practice as it relates to forestry, especially when it deals with treatment of workers and since State Forest Permits are renewed annually. Rodrigues said in some cases, the commission had assisted the ministry in ensuring that workers were paid and that this arrangement should be formalised to bring an end to the problem.

Source: Starbroek News

Four more Amerindian communities to get land titles

Four Amerindian communities will shortly receive titles to their lands and a fifth will be granted an extension as soon as the Lands and Surveys Commission has completed mapping the identified areas, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a press release.

The communities earmarked for land titles are Rewa, Crash Water, and Apoteri in Region Nine, Karrau in Region Seven and Warapoka in Region One, the release stated. The latter is a titled community which has had its request granted for extension of its land.

According to Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, this development would give Amerindians full ownership of the lands they occupy. She said that following the implementation of the new Amerindian Act in March 2006, more communities were coming forward with proposals to have their lands titled. According to the minister, "this is sure testimony that the Act is working."

Minister Rodrigues was recently in Region One where she engaged in discussion with residents of several communities on their requests for titles as well, the release said. And prior to this visit she also handed over a land title to Toshao of Santa Cruz in Region One (Barima/Waini), John Campbell.

President Bharrat Jagdeo in July 2006 handed over two land titles and one extension to Kaburi in Region Seven, Fairview in Region Eight and Annai in Region Nine. Kaburi received a title for 42 square miles of land, Fairview, 82 square miles while Annai received an extension of 62 square miles, the release noted.

Earlier Jagdeo handed over another set of titles to Campbelltown and Micobie in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Arukamai and Kamwatta in Region One (Barima/Waini).

On September 22, 2005, Toshaos of five communities received titles for their villages from the Head of State: Wiruni, Muritaro, Malali and Great Falls in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) and Orealla in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne). These communities now have legal ownership to their land, GINA added.

Source: Starbroek News

Caribbean Indigenous Peoples Turn A New Page in Kaieri (Trinidad)

Arima, Trinidad (UCTP Taino News) - The Secretariat of the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples (COIP) was officially “handed over” from Guyana to Trinidad at the Carib Community Center in Arima on September 23. 2006.

In a ceremony that was a feature program of CARIFESTA IX, Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez accepted the Chairmanship of the organization on behalf of the Santa Rosa Karina (Carib) Community. The Santa Rosa Caribs are currently the only indigenous descendant community in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago officially recognized by the State Government.

In an impassioned acceptance speech, Chief Bharath Hernandez touted some gains for the local community but stressed the need for much more to be done for the Indigenous Peoples of Trinidad. Apparently anticipating the Chief’s challenge, the honorable Minister of Culture and Gender Affairs, Ms. Joan Yuille-Williams announced that a new Cabinet Committee had been established to address long standing issues for the community. Three members of the Santa Rosa Community were appointed on to this special committee, receiving their appointment letters at the event directly from Minister Yuille-Williams.

The ceremony was also attended by the honorable Minister of Amerindian Affairs of the Republic of Guyana, Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues and the honorable Minister of Utilities & Environment, M.P. for Arima, Ms. Pennelope Beckles.

Indigenous member representatives of COIP were also on hand from Dominica, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Belize to pledge support of the new COIP Chairman. Representation within COIP is by country with the Secretariat usually rotated every three years to the next member country.

Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Boriken Taino) was honored as a special invited guest representing the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) at the ceremony. On behalf of the UCTP Borrero also pledged Taino support of COIP as he presented Chief Hernandez with a gift from his Boriken (Puerto Rico) homeland.

Noting the historic significance of the event, Borrero stated “this is a special moment for our region as we can see by the participation of Government and Indigenous representatives that our Peoples are beginning to be taken more seriously.”

The ceremony included speeches, special presentations, and a dynamic cultural performance featuring Karina and Arawak music and dance by the Surinamese delegation. With the local community attending in full force, the celebration continued into the evening with additional cultural presentations from local groups.

Another historic and precedent-setting event occurred during the momentous gathering as an official “Declaration of Unity” between the Santa Rosa Carib Community and the United Confederation of Taíno People was adopted on September 24, 2006.

“As we move forward in the region it is important that as Caribbean Indigenous Peoples we recognize and respect each other officially, Nation to Nation.” stated Borrero.

The Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples (COIP) was established in 1987 following the first Conference of Indigenous Peoples of the English Speaking Caribbean, held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana: Rodrigues sworn in for second term as government minister...

Guyana, South American (UCTP Taino News) - Carolyn Rodrigues, whom Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced would be resuming her portfolio, was sworn in for a second term as Minister of Amerindian Affairs.

With one hand on the bible, the Minister took her Oath before the President who presented her with the instruments of office.

Rodrigues was also sworn in as a member of the Cabinet during the short ceremony held at the Office of the President on Monday, September 4th 2006.

(Jules Gibson photo)

Guyana Ministry plans nationwide campaign to educate Amerindians about their rights...

Basil Joseph explains his painting to two admiring viewers. He
was one of several persons at the launching of Amerindian
Heritage Month 2006 at the Umana Yana on Friday, where items
made by the Amerindian people were on display.

Guyana, South America - Shortly before it was announced by President Bharrat Jagdeo that Carolyn Rodrigues would remain the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, she told the huge crowd that flocked the Umana Yana on Friday for the launching of Amerindian Heritage Month 2006, that the ministry planned to have to a nationwide campaign to educate the Amerindian people about their rights.

The launch which was attended by President Jagdeo, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, members of the diplomatic community and ministers of government, among others, has become an annual event since 1995 when a bill was passed for September to be designated Amerindian Heritage Month. This year the theme is 'Succeeding in the Quest for Progress' and the Heritage Village is Annai in Region 9.

The gathering, which was significantly smaller than the one last year, was entertained with a number of Amerindian songs rendered by the hinterland students.

The first verse of the National Anthem was sung in a native Amerindian language.

Dr Desrey Fox, the curator of the Walter Roth Museum, plans to translate the entire National Anthem and the Pledge into all nine Amerindian languages.

Rodrigues in her address said that in February this year the Amerindian Act had been passed in Parliament and signed by the president in March, and that communities had already started implementing its provisions.

The minister gave the assurance that her ministry would have land issues affecting Amerindians sorted out as soon as possible: "Some Amerindian communities have already received titles to their lands. Over 13% or 11,205 square miles is the amount of land owned by the Amerindians - more than double [that] in years gone by."

Highlighting some of accomplishments of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Rodrigues said that the Suddie hostel in Region 2 had been completed about four months ago to cater for those persons accompanying the injured from the interior. She added that the hostels at Port Kaituma and Moruca should be completed later this month.

Rodrigues informed the gathering that Sheleza Reid, a hinterland student had placed third at the recently concluded CSEC examinations. She had gained ten grade ones and one grade two, and was a product of the Anna Regina Secon-dary School.

In terms of further improving education, she stated that the St Cuthbert's school would be completed later this year. According to Rodrigues, improving communities was a necessity, and that was why the ministry continued to provide radio sets and outboard engines. Some communities, she continued, such as Santa Rosa and Annai had also benefited from the installation of telephones by GT&T.

Meanwhile the president in his speech said that Rodrigues would continue to act as the Minister of Amerindian Affairs since he was very impressed with her work.

Highlighting some of the things that would be done for the Amerindian people in the coming years, he announced that by 2008 the ferry stelling would be upgraded.

"At present we are building a boat for Orealla and the Demerara River so that people can get transportation facilities..."

The head of state added that efforts would be made to give Amerindian children the same educational opportunities as the rest of the country enjoyed.

In closing he said, "I hope that Guyana can take the lesson of their Amerindian brothers and sisters - that is to work together".

Following the launching people congregated outside the Umana Yana to view or buy the craft, paintings, sculpture, jewellery and food which were on display.

Among the activities scheduled for the rest of the month are an exhibition and sale of arts and craft and Amerindian dishes from September 1-6 at the Umana Yana; Heritage Day Celebrations at Annai on the 10th, a fund-raising dinner on the 22nd at the Guyana Pegasus and a Cultural Extravaganza on the 30th at the National Cultural Centre to close off activities.

Source: Starbroek News 09/03/06

Guyana: Carolyn Rodrigues for new Cabinet

Guyana, South America - President-elect Bharrat Jagdeo last evening named the first minister in his new Cabinet. Carolyn Rodrigues will retain her portfolio as Minister of Amerindian Affairs. Jagdeo who was re-elected president in the just concluded general and regional elections made the announcement while addressing an audience at the Umana Yana at the launching of Amerindian Heritage month.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) the President also said that that he was hurt when he heard that an unnamed country (Suriname) was preparing to accommodate Guyanese refugees in anticipation of a possible outbreak of violence following Monday's polls. Post-elections violence has blighted this country since 1992 and many were fearful that there would have been attacks this time around.

Jagdeo did not give any further hints of the make-up of his cabinet, but he lauded the performance of Rodrigues, describing her as a wonderful person who has worked hard and genuinely cares for the people. He said he needed people like Rodrigues to work with him. Jagdeo also said that much more work needs to be done in indigenous communities, promising that his government for the next five years would focus on that.

He also addressed a few words to PNCR-1G presidential candidate Robert Corbin who was also at the event.

"I want to say to Mr. Corbin who is here that it will be our task over the next five years to take this country forward. We have to find ways, innovative ways to work together to solve the problems of our people".

Source: Starbroek News 09/02/06