Efforts to revise the Amerindian Act of 2006 underway

The Amerindian People’s Association (APA) has partnered with the National Toshaos Council (NTC) to commence discussion regarding the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006. A three-day workshop launched on Thursday at Moray House in Georgetown provides the opportunity for representatives of various Indigenous communities to express grievances over the current Act while simultaneously making proposals for amendments thereto.

Participants at the Amerindian Act 2006 revision seminar
Participants at the Amerindian Act 2006 revision seminar

The seminar has seen the gathering of all members of the NTC Executive body, along with Indigenous leaders from grassroots organizations, to ensure the rights and concerns of their various groups are reflected and addressed in the forthcoming amendment. This revision is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and is being spearheaded by Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes has also been present at the event, as he will be offering pro bono consultation services during the process of this revision.

Chair of the National Toshaos Council, Joel Fredricks, in his opening remarks, stated that, “It’s history for the Indigenous peoples,” as he expressed his delight in the realisation of the revision, which was proposed shortly after his appointment in 2015.

He pointed out that Indigenous people are concerned, as the current Act is outdated and no longer caters for their rights and needs. He reminded that the aim of the Act was to give recognition to the Indigenous as Guyana’s first peoples, and offer protection in the acquisition and possession of land and resources which have thus far proven to be insufficient. This therefore emphasizes the need for an amendment.

Mario Hastings, President of APA, reiterated Fredrick’s sentiments, stating that the amendment is long overdue. Indicating that there have been cries of disappointment regarding the deficiencies in the current Act, he went on to say that this forum provides the perfect opportunity to build on, and strengthen, the Amerindian Act of 2006.

The Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, delivered the featured remarks on the opening day of the workshop, during which he expressed confidence that the amendment would provide for both present and future generations of Indigenous peoples of Guyana.

Declaring: “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring Guyanese together,” Allicock said that with better appreciation of their individual identity, the ethnic groups of Guyana can unite in their diversity. Moreover, he compared the harmony of Guyana’s six ethnic groups to a rainbow, alluding to the bright colours beautifully co-existing side by side as his vision for the years ahead.

The revision process is set to continue through Friday and Saturday, with focal areas being land rights, mining, logging, decision making and governance, among other things. At the end of the sessions, the group would have revived what currently exists and present a strategic plan for what is to come. A total of 10 million Guyana dollars has been invested in this initiative, and presenters are of the view that it would prove advantageous not only for the future of the Indigenous peoples, but the country at large.