Final consultations on Amerindian Act slated for this year

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs will be conducting its final rounds of consultations on the proposed amendments to the Amerindian Act of 2006, by the end of 2018.
This was according to Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, who explained that the Ministry was currently awaiting advice from its technical staff regarding the format the consultations would take this year.
The Minister is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying that while the process is taking longer than expected, this year it will be conducted in a more structured manner.
Minister Allicock pointed out that the Ministry is very keen on respecting the process of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), which is enshrined in the Act.
Additionally, Minister Allicock noted that his office would also be reviewing some of those recommendations made prior to the 2006 Act. “There were lots of ideas, proposals, and suggestions that we can review, to see what might be adequate or relevant to today,” he further explained.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister said that the intention was to have all the communities involved in the process. The National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) will also play critical roles in the process.
Amending the 2006 Act is expected to resolve many issues within Indigenous communities, especially those regarding land and mining.
The Amerindian Act of 2006 was intended to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Indigenous peoples, including the right to life, liberty, expression, movement, protection from slavery and forced labour, culture, and tradition.