Public building renamed “Stephen Campbell Building”
– in honour of country’s first Indigenous parliamentarian
The building which houses the Department of Citizenship was on Thursday officially renamed the “Stephen Campbell Building” in recognition of the work and contributions made by the late Indigenous stalwart.
According to President David Granger, Campbell was an ardent advocate for protecting Indigenous citizenship and it is therefore fitting that the building be dedicated to the late Indigenous Member of Parliament (MP).
Guyana’s First Indigenous Member of Parliament, the late Stephen Campbell
He explained that in Campbell’s lifetime, he wore many caps; a teacher, farmer, labourer and as a rubber-tapper, toiling in the bauxite, gold-mining and logging industries but that he is best remembered for his sterling agitation for the protection of Indigenous peoples’ rights.
“…rights which he felt were derived from their citizenship of this country.
The British Guiana Independence Conference, 1965, acknowledged Indigenous peoples’ rights to the legal ownership and occupancy over areas and reservations where Indigenous peoples normally reside. This decision was greatly influenced by Stephen Campbell’s tireless and persistent agitation.
He pointed out that the Guyana Constitution 1966 enshrined the protections for which Campbell had petitioned.
Relatives of the late Stephen Campbell along with caretaker President, David Granger, at the unveiling of the building named in honour of the late Indigenous leader
“Stephen Campbell’s vision of citizenship embodied the concept of national integration. This, he felt, could be achieved only if each person is respected, regardless of his or her class, ethnicity or place of residence and where everyone enjoyed opportunities for economic, political and social advancement.
‘Guyaneseness’ – the quality of being Guyanese – is to belong to a country which celebrates its cultural diversity by respecting each other.”
The caretaker President pointed out that Campbell was a pioneer of Indigenous peoples’ rights, specifically land rights, and that he laid the foundation for the range of Indigenous peoples’ rights which are currently enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.
“Stephen Campbell’s labours were not in vain. The Preamble to the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana iterates that the Guyanese people value the special place in our nation of the Indigenous peoples and recognise their right as citizens to land and security and to their promulgation of policies for their communities. The Constitution [at Article 149G] mandates that: Indigenous peoples shall have the right to protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life.”
He added that the Stephen Campbell House will stand as a testimonial of the nation’s commitment to protecting the right of every citizen regardless of race, religion or region of residence in accordance with the Constitution.
Stephen Joseph Campbell was born in Moruca, a sub-district of Region One (Barima-Waini), which is the northernmost part of Guyana, on December 26, 1897. He was elected onto the Legislative Council of British Guiana on September 10, 1957.
Campbell pushed for Indigenous land rights to be guaranteed in the Independence Constitution and also spearheaded a historic change in bringing to the fore the vital and rightful place of the Indigenous peoples in the mainstream of life in Guyana and its future development. His achievements are celebrated annually in September – Indigenous Heritage month – when the Indigenous traditions and culture are showcased.
