Heritage Month – occasion to reconnect, brainstorm, plan for future

Indigenous Heritage Month must not only be used to “party and drink” but to celebrate the development of communities and those who have contributed to those developments, said Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock.
During brief remarks at the regional Heritage celebration at St Ignatius in Region

Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Minister Allicock explained that while the 2017 activities remained true to the Heritage celebration, there was still room for improvement.
Minister Allicock told the gathering, representing the Indigenous peoples in the Region, “We must use this occasion to plan, reflect and unite. The Month presented a golden opportunity to reconnect, discuss, share ideas and come up with plans for community development.”
While commending communities in the Region for maintaining their culture, he urged them to be more creative when showcasing presentations, so visitors would be attracted to see what they had to offer each year.
Minister Allicock also took the opportunity to applaud the Region for being the most organised, in terms of management and developing plans for community development.
“The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) is a typical example of how organised the Region is. The Council has been working, using their resources and

collaborating with the Ministry. They can give us accurate information and that is a good example of what we want to see in the hinterland regions. Who would believe that those Wapishana people, way down south, would be using drones to map out areas and get accurate information?” he noted.
It is against this backdrop that Allicock said the Ministry would be looking to develop exchange programmes within the regions, to facilitate village leaders to share experiences, challenges, and ideas.
According to the Minister, the Government is aware of the daily challenges. It is, therefore, developing a plan that will see better roadways, rivers, schools, healthcare services, communications and agriculture programmes being implemented.
In the interim, he charged the residents to make full use of the regional administration, and engage them with germane plans and projects for their respective communities.  He also advised the communities to be prepared for the development that is to come, by crafting their Village Improvement Plan (VIP.)
The Department of Public Information said the three-day event, which started on Thursday last and ended Saturday, saw cultural groups from North, South, and Central Rupununi showcasing the vibrant Indigenous culture through dance, songs, skits and poems. There were also archery, basket weaving, parakari drinking, and football competitions. Several booths were also set up at the event displaying Indigenous cuisine, art, and craft.
A regional pageant was also held that saw the crowning of a king and queen on Saturday evening.