MP Charlie slams APA for misrepresentation at UN, defends Indigenous progress

Parliamentarian Alister Charlie has strongly criticised the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) for what he described as deliberate misrepresentation at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
Charlie made his criticisms just after several misleading remarks were made at the forum by the APA, about the lack of reforms being made for Indigenous people within Guyana.

“This [APA] organisation continues to disregard the very principle of FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent)—it attends this Forum without securing FPIC from the people it claims to represent,” he asserted.
He further accused the APA of undermining the National Toshaos Council (NTC), which comprises 243 elected Indigenous leaders, and of attempting to block development funding by submitting baseless complaints to international partners.
Speaking at the event and providing clear, detailed facts, he presented an evidence-based update on the status of Indigenous people in Guyana, highlighting advancements in healthcare, education, land rights, cultural preservation, and environmental justice.
Charlie described the current era as unprecedented for Indigenous access to education and healthcare, and drew comparisons to several years ago, of how things have changed for Amerindian People.
“Twenty years ago, there was one Indigenous medical doctor; today, Indigenous doctors form a critical part of the nation’s health system,” he noted.
He added that that the growth of Indigenous professionals across Guyana’s public sector is the direct result of increased educational access.
Progress in land rights was also spotlighted, with Charlie revealing that land ownership by Indigenous persons has more than doubled over the last two decades, now representing more than 16 per cent of Guyana’s territory.
He also highlighted the Ministry of Housing and Water’s commitment to providing affordable housing, including a drive to provide 50,000 house lots by 2025. This initiative includes the allocation of land to Indigenous communities, as well as broader efforts to address housing shortages and improve living conditions.
“The Amerindian Act of 2006 has been a cornerstone of this progress,” he said. The legislation promotes the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, requiring full Indigenous agreement before any extractive or investment activities occur on their lands.
Charlie underscored the importance of cultural recognition, pointing to the annual observance of Amerindian Heritage Month in September as a national commitment to Indigenous identity and traditions.
A central feature of his address was Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which he said was endorsed by Indigenous leaders and their communities.
Under the LCDS, 26.5 per cent of all revenues from carbon credit sales are transferred directly to Indigenous villages—funding development priorities identified at the local level.
Despite the APA’s actions, Charlie reaffirmed the Guyana Government’s commitment to Indigenous advancement.
He announced that the Government has allocated funds for the revision of the Amerindian Act, with Indigenous facilitators set to lead the national consultation process and Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations (IPO) participating in the oversight committee.
In closing, Charlie urged the international community to choose “partnerships over division,” pledging that Guyana would continue its work in full collaboration with Indigenous communities.
The 24th session of the UNPFII began Monday, April 21, and ends Friday, May 2 at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, New York, USA, under the theme: “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges”.