Amerindian Affairs Minister blasts Opposition for ignoring major investments in Indigenous communities

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Sarah Browne-Shadeek announced that in 2025 some 253 Amerindian villages received $3 million each in housing subsidies to support vulnerable residents. During the heated Budget 2026 debate, she added that a new measure from the Finance Ministry will extend these subsidies to hinterland communities, bringing them in line with support already provided along the coast.
“Mr Speaker, last year, 253 of our Amerindian villages received a total of $3 million each in housing subsidies to assist vulnerable residents. The measure announced by the Minister of Finance will see people in the hinterland benefiting from housing subsidies as is already done on the coastline.”

The Minister noted that these measures will also provide a boost to local village economies, particularly benefiting small businesses that stand to gain from the cash injection. She added that taxes on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) will be removed, enhancing transportation and tourism in indigenous villages where these vehicles are often the primary mode of travel, especially in mountainous areas. Browne further announced that taxes on outboard engines up to 150 horsepower will be eliminated, providing relief to riverine communities with no access to road networks that rely on boats as their main means of transport. Browne criticised the opposition for failing to acknowledge the Government’s investments in indigenous communities over the past five years. She said, “while the opposition continues to gripe and ignore all the investments and interventions that have transformed our lives over the last five years, for many of them, as I always say, if the abi come, then abi nah know.” She emphasised that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has consistently addressed critical areas in every budget, adding, “What we in the PPP/C have known all along and what we have continued to address in every single PPP/C budget, includes health, education, digital connectivity, road infrastructure, housing, land tenure, access to water and many more. Yes, telemedicine too.”

Following the heated debate, Browne also clapped back at We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament (MP) Dawn Hastings, accusing her of remaining silent on Indigenous issues during her five years in Government. She stated, “Mr Speaker, I now turn my attention to the speakers before me, starting with Honourable Member Dawn Hastings. Mind you, Mr Speaker, when I listen to these people, it’s hard to believe that they were in Government. Honourable Dawn Hastings served for five years as a sitting Minister, as Minister of State and also as the General Secretary (GS) of her party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R).” Browne slammed Hastings for failing to address key Amerindian matters. She said Hastings “sat as quiet as a mouse” while land tenure remained dormant for five years, 2,000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) were sent home and her colleague Mr Keith Cox, reportedly claimed that Amerindians were avaricious and should not receive funds from oil resources. Browne further questioned, “What recommendations or interventions did she make to improve the Amerindian hostel during her tenure?” The Minister also questioned Hastings’ political loyalty. She said, “why turn her back on the party that made her, on the party that she led as General Secretary. Can we trust her, Mr Speaker? We see you, Honourable Member — you may have changed the colour of your clothes, but you have definitely not changed the fact that you sat for five years in Government and did nothing for the people. You have a chance to do the right thing now, and that is to support Budget 2026 as presented before this National Assembly.”

Reject WIN’s offensive statement
Meanwhile, Browne-Shadeek, has rejected misguided statements from the Parliamentary Opposition regarding traditional indigenous houses. She criticised comments made by Opposition MP Deon LaCruz. LaCruz, who represents WIN, said “I strongly believe, Mr Speaker, that the days for Amerindians to be living in troolie houses should now be over.” “You can’t born, grow and dead in a troolie house,” LaCruz added. Minister Browne-Shadeek stated that the statements are offensive.
She emphasised that traditional homes are not symbols of failure or poverty, but rather reflect “indigenous culture, climate awareness, sustainability and identity passed down through generations.” She also referenced a message she received from Luana Augustus, a young Patamona woman from Kato Region Eight, who expressed her concerns over the remarks. “Development should give people choices, not erase who we are,” the Minister said, noting that real progress for indigenous communities includes improved access to clean water, healthcare, education, roads and economic opportunities. Browne-Shadeek further disclosed that when residents in parts of Region Eight were consulted on housing programmes, many chose to maintain traditional designs, highlighting the importance of dignity, consultation and respect for cultural preferences.